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Htbenarum    press    Series 


SELECTIONS 


Sir  Thomas  Malory's 

MORTE    DARTHUR 


EDITED 

WITH  INTRODUCTION,  NOTES,  AND  GLOSSARY 

BY 

WILLIAM   EDWARD  MEAD 

PROFESSOR    OF    THE    ENGLISH    LANGUAGE    IN    WESLEYAN    UNIVERSITY 


GINN  AND  COMPANY 

BOSTON"     •     XEW    YORK     •    CHICAGO     •    LONDOX 
ATLANTA     •     IJALLAS     •    COLUMBUS     •    SAN    KRANCISCO 

52942~ 


Entered  at  Stationers'  Hall 


Copyright,  1897,  by 
WILLIAM   EDWARD   MEAD 


ALL   RIGHTS   RESERVED 

A  322.10 


J I  ''.'•.•   •  • .*      .  •••   •    ' 

til        t't'         «.        •♦•  ,.4.««  •*•• 

t  CI**' 


.         ,  •  I  «  * 

etc**  !•' 


GINN   ANIJ   COMPANY  •  FRO- 
PKIETUKB  •  iiOSloN  •  U.S.A. 


PREFACE. 


The  aim  in  these  selections  from  Lc  Morie  Darthur  has 
been  to  present  connected  wholes  rather  than  fragmentary 
and  mutilated  passages.  Hence  Books  I  and  XVIII  are 
printed  with  only  minor  omissions,  and  Books  II,  XIII, 
XVII,  XXI,  without  abridgment.  These  six  books  contain 
some  of  the  choicest  portions  of  the  Morte  Darthur^  and  are 
really  representative  of  its  character.  Of  course  there  are 
other  extended  passages  and  even  whole  books  that  might 
well  have  been  included.  The  chief  regret  of  any  lover  of 
the  Morte  Darthur  is  at  being  obliged  to  make  selections  at 
all.  Of  the  omitted  portions  perhaps  Books  VII  and  XII 
appeal  most  strongly  to  the  general  reader. 

Text. — The  text  here  offered  follows  letter  for  letter 
Caxton's  edition  of  1485  (as  reprinted  by  Sommer  in  1889), 
but  with  certain  modifications  made  necessary  by  the  plan 
of  the  Athenteum  Press  Series. 

The  following  letters  and  characters  have  been  repre- 
sented by  their  modern  equivalents.  All  expansions  (except 
and  for  &)  are  indicated  by  italics  : 


a'  =  a//, 

as  in 

sage         =  sa«ge 

0  =  0;/, 

somos      =  somo«s. 

e  =  e«, 

thene       =  thewne. 

u  =  u«, 

Laucelot  =  Lauwcelot 

3    =gh^ 

my^tely   =  my^'/'tely. 

I  =J, 

Ihu          =  ]\\es\\. 

^  In  a  few  cases  a  =  a;;/.     Cf.  ca  =  caw;,  IS  9. 


iv  PREFACE. 


n  =  n«,  as  in      theiie  =  thenwe. 

f  =  s,        "  fo  =:  so. 

^  he  =,  the. 

\  h*  =  that. 

u  =  V,       "  loue  =  love. 

V  =  u,       "  vpon  =  upon. 


\^  =  th, 


1.  In  a  very  few  instances  Sommer  slightly  amends 
Caxton's  text  by  adding  in  italics  letters  that  had  been 
accidentally  omitted.     These  italics  have  been  reproduced.'^ 

2.  Caxton's  punctuation^  has  been  entirely  disregarded, 
except  in  the  few  passages  here  reprinted  in  black  letter. 
Capital    letters    have  been  regulated  according  to  modern 


usage. 


3.  The  division  lines  of  the  original  paragraphs  have 
been  shifted  so  as  to  correspond  more  closely  with  the  divi- 
sions in  the  narrative.  In  many  cases,  however,  the  para- 
graphs are  so  loosely  constructed  that  they  afford  opportunity 
for  much  difference  of  opinion  as  to  where  a  paragraph 
should  begin  or  end. 

4.  Systematic  reconstruction  of  the  text  has  not  been 
attempted,  but  some  obvious  errors  have  been  corrected  at 
the  bottom  of  the  page  or  discussed  in  the  Notes.  In  every 
such  case  the  original  reading  is  also  given. 

The  various  readings  of  the  later  editions  have  been 
sparingly  used.  There  is  no  evidence  that  the  variants 
are  based  upon  Malory's  MS.,  and  they  are  therefore  of 
little  more  authority  than  the  emendations  of  a  modern 
editor.     Moreover,  they  are  for  the  most  part  very  trivial, 

1  Commonly  the  old  text  has  ih  printed  in  full,  but  \>  also  appears, 
and  in  a  very  few  cases  y  for  )' ;  e.g.,  ye  =  the,  23  5. 

2  Cf.  gentihv^man,  108  28;  eyth^r,  110  29;  tw^,  143  33  ;  Sir,  203  17. 

3  In  all  but  a  very  few  cases  (where  the  period  is  used),  Caxton's 
only  marks  of  punctuation  are  ffE,  used  to  indicate  the  beginning  of 
paragraphs,  and  /,  which  does  duty  for  comma,  semicolon,  colon,  and 
period. 


PREFACE.  V 

and  afford  slight  help  in  the  emendation  of  the  text.  Where 
they  appear  to  be  of  value  they  have  been  cited.  A  really 
critical  text  of  the  Morte  Darthur  can  be  produced  only  by 
the  aid  of  critical  editions  of  the  French  romances.  Com- 
parison with  scattered  MSS.  will  not  suffice.  I  have  there- 
fore thought  it  better  to  defer  this  work  for  the  present 
rather  than  to  leave  it  half  done. 

Notes.  —  The  Notes  are  designed  to  stimulate  further 
research,  and  hence  make  frequent  reference  to  books  that 
should  be  within  the  reach  of  every  student  of  Arthurian 
romance.  As  far  as  possible,  I  have  endeavored  to  let  one 
part  of  Malory  interpret  another,  but  I  have  also  sought  to 
find  parallels  in  other  Middle  English  literature.  The 
Notes  are  not  primarily  linguistic,  for  the  especial  value  of 
the  Morte  Darthiir  to  us  is  that  it  is  a  noble  piece  of  litera- 
ture ;  yet  they  take  account  of  unusual  forms  and  construc- 
tions, and  make  frequent  reference  to  Baldwin's  Inflections 
and  Syntax  of  the  Morte  d'' Arthur^  to  Kellner,  etc.  The 
phonology  of  the  forms  in  Malory  is  so  fully  treated  in 
Hermann  Romstedt's  Preisschrift  Die  englische  Schriftsprache 
bei  Caxton,  G5ttingen,  1891,  that  the  student  may  be  referred, 
once  for  all,  to  his  discussion. 

It  may  be  proper  to  add  that,  with  the  exception  of  a  few 
cases  where  specific  credit  is  given,  the  Notes  owe  nothing 
to  other  editions  of  the  Morte  Darthur. 

Glossary.  —  The  Glossary  is  based  upon  that  in  Sommer's 
edition,  with  additions  or  modifications,  and  an  entirely 
independent  set  of  references.  The  list  of  words  is  not 
intended  to  be  exhaustive,  but  to  include  in  the  main  only 
those  that  may  be  unfamiliar  to  the  modern  reader. 

In  conclusion  it  is  a  pleasure  to  thank  Dr.  Sommer  and 

^  For  a  review  of  Baldwin's  book,  see  the  Anglia,  v,  Beiblatt,  323,  324. 
Corrections  of  Uaklw  in's  list  of  strong  verbs  are  made  by  Ilenipl  in  Alod. 
Lang.  Notes,  ix,  479-481,  and  by  Baldwin  himself,  ibid.,  x,  92-94. 


Vi  PREFACE. 

Mr.  Alfred  Nutt  for  full  permission  to  use  the  exact  reprint 
of  Caxton's  edition  of  14S5.  The  conclusions  of  Dr.  Som- 
mer  with  regard  to  the  sources  I  have  in  the  main  adopted, 
but  I  have  been  obliged  to  dififer  from  his  views  in  some 
points,  particularly  on  the  source  of  Book  XXI.  He  is, 
moreover,  not  responsible  for  the  form  in  which  the  text 
appears,  for  the  Introduction,  the  Notes,  or  the  Indexes, 

Professor  Kittredge  of  Harvard  University  contributes  to 
the  Introduction  a  short  paper  presenting  new  views  on  Sir 
Thomas  Malory  and  his  family,  and  to  the  Notes  the  com- 
ments signed  ""  K."  He  has  also  read  the  entire  book  with 
much  care,  and  made  many  helpful  suggestions,  for  which 
I  offer  my  sincere  thanks. 

My  indebtedness  to  the  investigations  of  the  leading 
students  of  Arthurian  romance  I  have  endeavored  to  indicate 
in  each  case.  I  may  remark,  however,  that  in  citing  refer- 
ences to  speculations  on  various  questions  connected  with 
the  romances,  I  am  by  no  means  ready  to  adopt  without 
reserve  the  theories  proposed.  I  have  merely  desired  by 
making  such  references  to  call  the  attention  of  the  reader  to 
problems  which  he  may  work  out  for  himself. 


W.  E.  M. 


MiDDLETOWN,  CoNN., 

May  5,  1897. 


The  reprinting  of  these  Selections  has  afforded  opportunity  for 
making  some  minor  corrections  and  for  adding  a  few  notes,  which 
will  be  found  on  pages  324-327.  These  notes  chiefly  call  atten- 
tion to  some  of  the  more  important  Arthurian  literature  that  has 
appeared  since  1897,  and  they  make  no  pretense  to  completeness. 

January  29,  1918. 


CONTENTS. 


INTRODUCTION. 

I.     Literary  Character  of  the  Fifteenth  Century  - 

II.     Sir  Thomas   Malory  and  his    Family  (by  Professor 

Kittredge) 

III.  Editions  of  the  Morte  Darthur       .        .        .        - 

IV.  Purpose  and  Method  of  the  Morte  Darthur 

V.     Sources  of  the  Morte  Darthur       .        -        -        - 
VI.     History  and  Influence  of  the  Morte  Darthur 
VII.    The  Literary  Value  of  the  Morte  Darthur 


lAGE 

ix 

xiii 

XX 

XXV 

xxix 

xxxviii 

1 


MALORY'S  MORTE  DARTHUR. 


PAGE 

Caxton's  Preface      .--.-•••-  i 

Caxton's  Table  of  Contents 3 

Text  of  Malory. 

BOOK 

L IS 

II. 49 

XIII. 82 

XVII. 121 

XVIII. -        -  167 

XXL 211 

Books  Referred  to  in  Notes 241 

Notes 243 

Glossary 329 

Index  to  ALm.orv's  Morte  Darthur 341 

Index  to  Introduction  and  Notes 347 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  15th  century  has  had  its  full  measure  of  condemna- 
tion as  an  unproductive  period  in  English  literary  annals. 
Its  barrenness  is  often  contrasted  unfavorably  with  the  com- 
parative richness  of  the  century  that  preceded  it,  and  particu- 
larly with  the  marvellous  fecundity  of  the  age  of  Elizabeth. 
Taken  as  a  whole,  the  literary  output  of  the  15th  century 
must  be  acknowledged  to  be  small  in  quantity  and  mediocre 
in  quality.  Yet,  singularly  enough,  the  15th  century  pro- 
duced one  writer  who  shares  with  Chaucer  the  distinction 
of  being  read  to-day  by  the  general  public.  Sir  Thomas 
Malory  is,  by  popular  consent  at  least,  the  greatest  master 
of  prose  before  the  Revival  of  Learning. 

The  popular  verdict,  which  has  marked  the  Morte  Darthur 
as  worthy  of  the  attention  of  the  modern  reader,  while 
allowing  all  other  early  English  prose  —  with  the  possible 
exception  of  the  pseudo-Mandeville's  Travels  —  to  remain 
the  undisturbed  possession  of  scholars,  may  not  be  the 
surest  test  of  the  merit  of  the  book  as  a  piece  of  original 
composition.  Some  other  names  rank  high  in  any  survey 
of  15th-century  literature,  such  as  Fortescue  and  Fabyan  and 
Capgrave  and  Pecocke.  To  take  a  single  instance,  For- 
tescue's  Treatise  on  the  Difference  bet^veen  Absolute  and  Limited 
Monarchy  was,  in  its  way,  more  original  than  the  Morte 
Darthur,  and  was  probably  quite  beyond  the  powers  of 
Malory.     Yet  the  nature  of  the  topics  that  Fortescue  dis- 


X  INTRODUCTION. 

cussed  must  have  made  his  readers  few  even  in  his  own 
day.  Malory,  on  the  other  hand,  could  appeal  at  the  outset 
to  a  widespread  interest  in  his  subject,  and  he  knew  how  to 
awaken  interest  where  it  had  not  existed. 

The  isth  century  was  doubtless  not  an  ideal  time  for  a 
writer  or  a  student.  The  utter  neglect  of  English  letters 
under  Henry  V,  the  selfishness  and  greed  of  the  turbulent 
nobles  who  crowded  the  court  of  Henry  VI  and  took  advan- 
tage of  his  helplessness  to  make  gains  while  they  could,  the 
wasting  of  England  under  the  armies  of  York  and  of  Lan- 
caster, fighting  for — men  hardly  knew  what,  took  away 
much  of  the  inspiration  for  original  literary  production. 

Yet,  as  Emerson  somewhere  says,  "  every  age  has  a 
thousand  sides  and  signs  and  tendencies  "  ;  and  one  who 
lives  in  the  age  itself  cannot  always  tell  whither  it  is  drifting. 
In  the  15th  century  the  feudal  system  was  tottering  to  its 
fall.  The  forms  still  survived,  and  the  pomp  and  glitter 
of  feudal  life  were  present  at  every  turn.  But  the  times 
were  evil,  and  they  seemed  to  contain  the  promise  of  evil. 
In  such  an  asfe,  men  who  saw  the  troubled  state  of  their  own 
time,  but  who  were  not  skilled  as  prophets,  may  well  have 
dreamed  of  the  olden  days  when  the  institutions  which  were 
rapidly  going  to  decay  had  been  vigorous  with  a  new  life. 
It  is  not  strange,  therefore,  that  when  Malory  cast  about 
for  a  subject  he  turned  away  from  the  intrigues  and  petty 
quarrels  of  court  factions  to  the  deeds  of  an  ideal  king  and 
an  ideal  court  in  a  far-away  age. 

We  know  indeed  very  little  about  the  influences  that 
shaped  a  writer  in  the  turbulent  15th  century.  Some  of 
them  may  have  been  more  favorable  than  we  commonly  think. 
We  may  freely  admit  that  the  poetry,  except  that  produced 
in  the  North,  could  hardly  be  worse.  Hobbling,  unin- 
spired doggerel  most  of  it  is,  as  inane  as  it  is  formless.  But 
the  prose,  taken  as  a  whole,  is  surely  better  than  any  that 


INTRODUCTION.  xi 

England  had  produced  since  the  Norman  Conquest.  There 
are  modern  readers  who  even  prefer  the  simple,  natural  style 
of  Malory  and  his  contemporaries  to  the  tortuous  indirect- 
ness of  much  of  the  Elizabethan  and  early  17th-century 
prose.  Malory  opened  new  paths  for  the  prose  writer,  and 
showed  how  men  to  whom  the  gift  of  song  was  denied  might 
still  write  a  rich  and  beautiful  prose.  Possibly  his  age  was 
the  most  unfavorable  in  which  a  writer's  lot  could  be  cast, 
but  those  who  hold  that  opinion  are  bound  to  give  all  the 
more  credit  to  Malory  for  rising  above  the  dead  level  of  his 
time. 

It  is  perhaps  worth  while  to  note  that  England  was  not 
the  only  country  in  the  15th  century  where  literature  was  in 
a  depressed  state.  France,  which  had  for  centuries  been 
the  wellspring  whence  other  nations  drew  literary  inspira- 
tion, was  now  reduced  to  comparative  unproductiveness. 
She  could  point  in  Malory's  time  to  Villon,  Christine  de 
Pisan,  Charles  d'Orle'ans,  and,  somewhat  later,  to  Philippe 
de  Comines  and  a  few  others,  but  she  was  no  longer  the 
central  figure  in  European  letters. 

Germany  was  split  into  little  rival  states  and  cities,  and 
had  no  unified  national  life.  The  towns  were  the  prey  of 
robber  barons,  and  the  barons  were  the  prey  of  one  another. 
The  development  of  manufactures  and  the  extension  of 
commerce  had,  to  some  extent,  stimulated  literature,  or  what 
passed  for  such.  Some  homely  pieces  like  Till  Euloispicgel 
and  Brant's  Narreiischiff  (1494)  have  a  rough  life  and 
humor  that  contrast  refreshingly  with  the  dullness  and 
solemn  platitudes  of  the  vast  wastes  of  didactic  verse  which 
meet  the  student  of  the  period.  Yet  no  literary  master- 
piece was  produced  in  Germany  in  the  century  before  the 
Reformation. 

The  only  country  of  Western  Europe  that  has  reason  to 
boast  of  her  literary  production  in  the   15th  century  is  Italy. 


xii  INTRODUCTION. 

The  sudden  influx  of  the  scholars  of  Constantinople  and 
the  generous  patronage  of  men  of  letters  by  the  Medici  and 
rival  princes  made  Italy  a  paradise  for  writers,  and  estab- 
lished her  as  the  training  school  of  the  rest  of  Europe.  For 
a  time  Italy  was  the  intellectual  light  of  the  world,  and  for 
two  or  three  generations  she  won  greater  recognition  than 
any  of  the  states  that  aspired  to  high  place  in  learning  or 
literature. 

As  for  the  remaining  countries  of  Europe  in  the  15th 
century,  their  literature,  with  a  few  marked  exceptions,'  pre- 
sents nothing  striking.  The  state  of  literature  in  England, 
though  surely  bad  enough,  was  not  so  decidedly  worse  than 
that  of  the  rest  of  Europe  as  one  might  at  first  imagine. 
The  soil  was  preparing  for  the  great  outburst  of  the  follow- 
ing century. 

Malory,  however,  belongs  to  the  older  order.  Scarcely  a 
ripple  of  the  great  Renaissance  movement  had  touched 
England  when  he  began  to  write.  He  was  himself  entirely 
uninfluenced  by  it.  He  lived  wholly  in  the  Middle  Ages, 
and  breathed  their  very  spirit  into  his  great  book  of 
romances.  Yet  there  must  have  been  signs  enough,  even 
in  Malory's  time,  that  a  new  spirit  was  rising,  and  that  the 
days  of  the  old  order  were  numbered.  Tradesmen  were 
acquiring  political  power  and  social  recognition.  The  towns 
were  rapidly  growing  in  wealth  and  population  and  influence. 
The  people  were  gaining  more  than  the  privileged  classes, 
Each  new  turn  of  events  that  brought  the  king  out  of  har- 
mony with  his  great  nobles  threw  him  into  the  hands  of  the 
people,  and  they  did  not  fail  to  profit  by  the  opportunity. 
The  new  common  soldiers  were  a  match  for  the  knights  and 
gentlemen.  War  abroad  and  civil  strife  at  home  had  reduced 
the  number  of  the  nobles  and  made  still  easier  the  progress 

1  One  of  the  most  popular  books  of  the  century  was  the  Nether- 
landish version  of  Rei)tke  de  Vos. 


INTRODUCTION.  xiii 

of  the  social  revolution.  In  a  generation  or  two  more, 
chivalry  was  the  theme  for  a  jest,  and  its  glory  had  departed 
forever. 

11.^ 

In  any  attempt  to  identify  the  author  of  the  Morte  Dar- 
ihur  with  an  historical  Sir  Thomas  Malory,  one  must  not 
look  for  demonstration.  Probably  no  direct  evidence  on  the 
subject  exists.  Public  records  and  business  papers  of  the  14th 
and  15th  centuries  may  be  expected  to  supply  information 
about  estates  and  offices  and  military  service,  but  they  are 
not  likely  to  mention  literary  works.^  A  high  degree  of  prob- 
ability may,  however,  be  arrived  at.  If,  amongst  the  various 
Malorys  of  the  15  th  century,  but  one  can  be  found  who  sat- 
isfies all  the  conditions  of  the  problem,  we  may  reasonably 
claim  for  him  the  authorship  of  this  famous  work,  though 
no  direct  evidence  of  his  connection  with  it  be  procurable. 

What  the  required  conditions  are  may  be  seen  from  three 
places  in  the  Morte  Darthur  which  mention  Malory  : 

(i)  Caxton's  Preface,  in  which  he  says  he  has  printed 
"after  a  copye  vnto  me  delyuerd,  whyche  copye  Syr  Thomas 
Malorye  dyd  take  oute  of  certeyn  bookes  of  frensshe  and 
reduced  it  in  to  Englysshe  "  (Sommer,  p.  3). 

(2)  The  concluding  words  of  the  last  book  :  "  I  praye  you 
all  lentyl  men  and  lentyl  wymmen  that  redeth  this  book  of 
Arthur  and  his  knyghtes  .  .  .  |  praye  for  me  whyle  I  am  on 
lyue  that  god  sende  me  good  delyueraunce  |  &  whan  I  am 
deed  I  praye  you  all  praye  for  my  soule  |  for  this  book  was 
ended  the  ix  yere  of  the  reygne  of  kyng  edward  the  fourth  | 
by  syr  Thomas  Maleore  knyght  as  Ihesu  helpe  hym  for  hys 

1  This  section  on  Sir  Thomas  Malory  and  his  family  is  contributed 
by  Professor  George  Lyman  Kittredge  of  Harvard  University. 

^  The  reader  will  rememljer  that  the  public  records  which  furnish  us 
with  so  much  information  about  Chaucer  say  not  a  word  about  his  poetry. 


xiv  INTRODUCTION. 

grete  myght  |  as  he  is  the  seruaunt  of  Ihesu  bothe  day  and 
nyght  I  "  (Sommer,  p.  86i).  These  are  obviously  not  the 
words  of  Caxton,  as  Dr.  Sommer  takes  them  to  be,  but  the 
words  of  Malory  himself, 

(3)  Carton's  colophon,  which  says  that  the  book  "  was 
reduced  in  to  englysshe  by  syr  Thomas  Malory  knyght  as 
afore  is  sayd '  |  and  by  me  deuyded  in  to  xxi  bookes  chap- 
ytred  and  enprynted  |  and  fynysshed  in  thabbey  westmestre 
the  last  day  of  luly  the  yere  of  our  lord  |  M  ]  CCCC  | 
Ixxxv  I  "  (Sommer,  p.  861). 

From  these  passages  it  appears  that  any  Sir  Thomas 
Malory  advanced  as  the  author  of  the  Morte  Darthur  must 
fulfill  the  following  conditions  :  (i)  He  must  have  been  a  j 
knight ;  ^  (2)  he  must  have  been  alive  in  the  ninth  year  of 
Edward  IV,  which  extended  from  Mar.  4,  1469,  to  Mar.  3, 
1470  (both  included)  ;  (3)  he  must  have  been  old  enough  in 
9  Edward  IV  to  make  it  possible  that  he  should  have  written 
this  work.  Further,  Caxton  does  not  say  that  he  received 
the  "  copy  "  directly  from  the  author,  and  his  language  may 
be  held  to  indicate  that  Malory  was  dead  when  the  book 
was  printed.  In  this  case  he  must  have  died  before  the 
last  day  of  July,  1485,  and  we  have  a  fourth  condition  to  be 
complied  with. 

Up  to  the  present  time  ^  but  one  Thomas  Malory  has 
been  discovered  who  fulfills  these  three  imperative  condi- 
tions, and  this  person  satisfies  also  the  fourth  condition, 
which,  as  we  have  seen,  is  not  entirely  imperative.     We  may, 

1  That  is,  in  Caxton's  Preface. 

^"  Sir  priest"  is  out  of  the  question,  though  some  have  absurdly 
suggested  it  (see  the  reference  in  Sommer,  ii,  2,  n.  i). 

3  This  chapter  is  in  part  a  reprint  of  an  article  entitled  "  Who  was 
Sir  Thomas  Malory?"  published  in  1897  in  the  Harvard  Studies  and 
Notes  in  Philology  and  Literature,  iv,  85-105.  The  reader  is  referred 
to  that  article  for  the  details  of  the  evidence  as  well  as  for  a  discussion 
of  the  baseless  thtory  that  Malory  was  a  Welshman.     1  he  conjectural 


INTRODUCTION.  XV 

therefore,  accept  him  as  the  author  of  whom  we  are  in 
search  and  insert  his  biography  in  our  literary  histories,  at 
least  until  a  better  candidate  offers.  That  such  a  candidate 
is  likely  to  appear  the  present  writer  is  not  inclined  to 
believe,  for  obviously,  the  number  of  knights  named  Thomas 
Malory  and  living  at  any  single  time  must,  of  necessity,  be 
small  ;  and,  in  the  attempt  to  apply  as  rigid  a  test  as  possible 
to  this  identification,  the  pedigree  and  alliances  of  the  several 
Malory  (Malore)  families  have  been  carefully  scrutinized. 

This  Sir  Thomas  Malory  *  was  (i)  certainly  a  knight.  (2) 
He  survived  the  ninth  year  of  Edward  IV,  dying  Mar.  14, 
1470  (10  Edward  IV).  This  fits  the  closing  passage  of  the 
Morte  Darthicr.  (3)  He  was  not  under  fifty-seven  years  of 
age  when  he  died,  and  he  may  have  been  seventy  or  above. 
(4)  The  Morte  Darthur  was  not  printed  until  some  fifteen 
years  after  his  death. 

The  birth,  circumstances,  and  education  of  this  Sir 
Thomas  Malory  appear,  so  far  as  we  can  discover  them,  to 
fit  well  with  his  authorship  of  this  work.  He  belonged  to 
that  class  to  whom  the  Arthurian  stories  directly  appealed : 
he  was  a  gentleman  of  an  ancient  house  and  a  soldier.^ 

identification  discussed  in  the  present  chapter  was  made  public  by  the 
writer  Mar.  15,  1894,  at  a  meeting  held  at  Columbia  College  in  honor 
of  Friedrich  Diez  (cf.  Mod.  lang.  Notes,  April,  1894,  i^'  253)-  It  was 
put  on  record  by  the  writer  in  a  brief  article  on  Malory  published  in 
1894  in  vol.  V  of  Johnson's  Universal  Cyclopcedia  (p.  498).  In  July, 
1896,  Mr.  T.  W.  Williams,  who  had,  very  naturally,  not  seen  the  brief 
article  in  Johnson's  Cyclopedia,  suggested  {AthencBum,  No.  3585)  that 
the  author  of  the  Morte  might  be  a  "  Thomas  Malorie,  miles  "  whom  he 
had  found  mentioned  in  a  document  of  the  eighth  year  of  Edward  IV, 
but  concerning  whom  he  had  no  information  except  the  single  fact  fur- 
nished by  the  document  itself.  Mr.  Williams's  Thomas  Malory  and 
the  writer's  are  probably  one  and  the  same  person. 

^  The  name  is  variously  spelled,  but  was  always  trisyllabic. 

"^  Cf.  Caxton's  Preface :  "  Many  noble  and  dyuers  gentylmen  of  thys 
royame  of  England  camen  and  demaunded  me  many  and  oftymes  vvher- 


His  ancestors  had  been  lords  of  Draughton  in  Northamp- 
tonshire as  early,  apparently,  as  1267-68,  and  certainly 
earlier  than  1285  ;  and  the  Malores  had  been  persons  of  «l 
consequence  in  that  county  and  in  Leicestershire  from  the 
time  of  Henry  II  or  Stephen.  Sir  Peter  Malore,  justice  of 
the  common  pleas  (i 292-1309)  and  one  of  the  commission 
to  try  Sir  William  Wallace,  was  a  brother  of  Sir  Stephen 
Malore,  the  great-grandfather  of  our  Sir  Thomas,  —  that  Sir 
Stephen  whose  marriage  with  Margaret  Revell  brought  the 
Newbold  estates  '  into  the  family.  Thomas's  father,  John 
Malory,  was  sheriff  of  Leicestershire  and  Warwickshire, 
Escheator,  Knight  of  the  Shire  for  Warwick  in  the  Parlia- 
ment of  1 41 3,  and  held  other  offices  of  trust.  It  is  not  to 
be  doubted,  then,  that  Sir  Thomas  received  a  gentleman's 
education  according  to  the  ideas  of  the  15th  century,  which 
are  not  to  be  confounded  with  those  of  an  earlier,  illiterate 
period.  That  he  should  learn  to  read  and  write  French,  as 
well  as  to  speak  it,  was  a  matter  of  course. 

Sir  John  Malory  seems  to  have  died  in  12  Henry  VI 
(1433  o'"  M34)'  ^i^d  Sir  Thomas  succeeded  to  the  ancestral 
estates.  We  have,  however,  some  information  about  Sir 
Thomas  in  his  father's  lifetime :  when  a  young  man  he 
served  in  France,  in  the  military  retinue  of  Richard  Beau- 
champ,  Earl  of  Warwick,  —  a  fact  to  which  I  shall  soon 
revert.  In  the  twenty-third  year  of  Henry  VI  (1445)  ^^ 
find  him  a  knight  and  sitting  in  Parliament  for  Warwick- 
shire. Some  years  later  he  appears  to  have  made  himself 
conspicuous  on  the  Lancastrian  side  in  the  War  of  the  Roses, 
for  in  1468  "Thomas  Malorie,  miles,"  is  excluded,  along 
with  "  Humphry  Nevyll,  miles,"  and  several  others,  from 
the  operation  of  a  pardon  issued  by  Edward  IV.     We  know 

fore  that  I  haue  not  do  made  &  enprynte  the  noble  hystorye  of  the 
saynt  greal  and  of  the  moost  renomed  crysten  kyng  .  .  .  kyng  Arthur." 
^  In  Warwickshire. 


INTRODUCTION.  xvii 

nothing  of  the  matter  except  this  bare  fact.  Whether  or  not 
Malory  subsequently  obtained  a  special  pardon  cannot  now 
be  determined.  If  he  did  not  we  must  suppose  that  he  was 
relieved  by  the  general  amnesty  of  1469,  since,  on  his  death 
in  1470,  there  seems  to  have  been  no  question  as  to  the 
inheritance  of  his  estate.  Malory  died,  as  has  been  already 
noted,  Mar.  14,  1470,  and  when  Dugdale  wrote  his  Warwick- 
shire (about  1656)  lay  "  buryed  under  a  marble  in  the 
Chappell  of  St.  Francis  at  the  Gray  Friars,  near  Newgate  in 
the  Suburbs  of  London."  He  left  a  widow,  Elizabeth  Malory, 
who  lived  until  14S0,  and  a  grandson,  Nicholas,  about  four 
years  of  age.  This  Nicholas  was  alive  in  15 11.  He  died 
without  male  heirs. 

The  most  interesting  of  these  biographical  fragments  is 
the  association  of  Sir  Thomas  Malory  with  Richard  of  War- 
wick. Dugdale  states  the  fact  in  the  following  words  : 
"  Thomas ;  who,  in  K.  ZT.  5.  time,  was  of  the  retinue  of  Ric. 
Beauchamp  E.  Warr.  at  the  siege  of  Caleys,  and  served  there 
with  one  lance  and  two  archers ;  receiving  for  his  lance  and 
I.  archer  xx,  //.  per  an.  and  their  dyet ;  and  for  the  other 
archer,  x.  marks  and  no  dyet."  I  can  find  no  siege  of 
Calais  in  Henry  V's  time.  Perhaps  the  agreement  was 
merely  to  serve  at  Calais.  In  that  case  the  likeliest  date 
for  Malory's  covenant  is  perhaps  1415,  when  Warwick 
indented  "  to  serve  the  King  as  Captain  of  Calais,  until 
Febr.  3.  An.  141 6  (4  He?i.  5).  And  to  have  with  him 
in  the  time  of  Truce  or  Peace,  for  the  safeguard  thereof, 
Thirty  Men  at  Arms,  himself  and  three  Knights  accounted 
as  part  of  that  number ;  Thirty  Archers  on  Horsback,  Two 
hundred  Foot  Soldiers,  and  Two  hundred  Archers,  all  of  his 
own  retinue.  .  .  .  And  in  time  of  War,  he  to  have  One 
hundred  and  forty  Men  on  Horsbak,"  etc. 

In  our  uncertainty  with  regard  to  the  year  of  this  service 
we  can  draw  no  solid  inference  as  to  the  date  of  Malory's 


xviii  INTRODUCTION. 

birth.  We  have  already  seen  that  he  was  probably  of  age 
and  over  in  1433-34  (see  p.  xvi,  above)  :  if  he  served  with 
Beauchamp  in  1416,  he  was  doubtless  born  as  early  as  1400, 
but  not  much  earlier.  This  would  make  him  seventy  years 
old  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

The  service  of  Malory  with  Richard  of  Warwick  is,  how- 
ever, peculiarly  significant  in  view  of  the  well-known  char- 
acter of  the  earl.  No  better  school  for  the  future  author  of 
the  Morte  Darthiir  can  be  imagined  than  a  personal  acquaint- 
ance with  that  Englishman  whom  all  Europe  recognized  as 
embodying  the  knightly  ideal  of  the  age.  The  Emperor 
Sigismund,  we  are  informed  on  excellent  authority,  said  to 
Henry  V  "  that  no  prince  Cristen  for  wisdom,  norture,  and 
manhode,  hadde  such  another  knyght  as  he  had  of  therle 
Warrewyk;  addyng  therto  that  if  al  curtesye  were  lost,  yet 
myght  hit  be  founde  ageyn  in  hym  ;  and  so  ever  after  by  the 
emperours  auctorite  he  was  called  the  Fadre  of  Curteisy."  ^ 

The  history  of  Warwick's  life,  as  set  down  by  John  Rous, 
chantry  priest  and  antiquary,  and  almost  a  contemporary  of 
the  great  earl,  reads  like  a  ro??ian  d'aventure.  One  exploit 
in  particular  might  almost  have  been  taken  out  of  the  Morte 
Darthiir  itself.^  "Erie  Richard,"  we  are  told,  ".  .  .  heryng 
of  a  greet  gaderyng  in  Fraunce,  inasmoche  as  he  was  cap- 
teyn  of  Caleys  he  hied  him  thidre  hastely,  and  was  there 
worthely  received  ;  and  when  that  he  herd  that  the  gaderyng 
in  Fraunce  was  appoynted  to  come  to  Caleys,  he  cast  in  his 
mynde  to  do  sume  newe  poynt  of  chevalry  ;  wheruppon," 
under  the  several  names  of  "the  grene  knyght,"  "  Chevaler 
Vert,"  and  "  Chevaler  Attendant,"  he  sent  three  challenges 

^  John  Rous,  Life  of  Richard  Earl  of  Warwick,  as  printed  from  MS. 
Cotton.  Julius  E.  IV,  by  Strutt,  Horda  Angel-cytinan,  1775-76,  ii,  125, 
126.     Rous  died  Jan.  1492;  Beauchamp,  May  31,  1439. 

2  For  similflif  incidents  in  romance,  see  Ward,  Catalogue  of  Romances, 
i,  733  ff.,  with  which  cf.  Malory's  Morte  Darthur,  Bk.  vii,  chs.  xxviii, 
xxix,  Sommer,  i,  257  ff. 


INTRODUCTION.  xix 

to  the  French  king's  court.  "And  anone  other  3  Frenche 
knyghtes  received  them,  and  graunted  their  felowes  to  mete 
at  day  and  place  assigned."  On  the  first  day,  "the  xii  day 
of  Christmasse,  in  a  lawnde  called  the  Park  Hedge  of 
Gynes,"  Earl  Richard  unhorsed  the  first  of  the  French 
knights.  Next  day  he  came  to  the  field  in  another  armor 
and  defeated  the  second  French  knight,  "  and  so  with  the 
victory,  and  hymself  unknown  rode  to  his  pavilion  agayn, 
and  sent  to  this  blank  knyght  Sir  Hugh  Lawney,  a  good 
courser."  On  the  third  day  the  earl  "came  in  face  opyn 
.  .  .  and  said  like  as  he  hadde  his  owne  persone  performed 
the  two  dayes  afore,  so  with  Goddes  grace  he  wolde  the  third, 
then  ran  he  to  the  Chevaler  name[d]  Sir  Colard  Fymes,  and 
every  stroke  he  bare  hym  bakwards  to  his  hors  bakke ;  and 
then  the  Frenchmen  said  he  was  bounde  to  the  sadyll,  wher- 
for  he  alighted  down  from  his  horse,  and  forthwith  stept  up 
into  his  sadyll  ageyn,  and  so  with  worshipe  rode  to  his 
pavilion,  and  sent  to  Sir  Colard  a  good  courser,  and  fested 
all  the  people ;  .  .  .  and  rode  to  Calys  with  great  wor- 
shipe "  (Strutt,  Horda,  ii,  124,  125). 

This  romantic  adventure  cannot  be  dated  with  any  cer- 
tainty. The  days  are  settled  by  the  text  of  Rous  :  they  are 
January  6,  7,  and  8  (Twelfth-Day  and  the  two  days  follow- 
ing), but  the  year  is  not  easily  fixed.  By  a  process  of  elimi- 
nation we  may  arrive  at  the  date  1416  or  1417,  either  of 
which  may  be  right.  One  likes  to  imagine  Thomas  Malory 
as  serving  in  Warwick's  retinue  on  this  occasion,  and  I  know 
of  nothing  to  forbid  our  indulging  so  agreeable  a  fancy. 

It  may,  I  think,  be  safely  asserted  that  we  have  before 
us  a  Sir  Thomas  Malory  who,  so  far  as  one  can  see,  fulfills 
all  the  conditions  required  of  a  claimant  for  the  honor  of 
having  written  the  Morte  Darthm-.  There  is  absolutely  no 
contestant,  and  until  such  a  contestant  appears,  it  is  not 
unreasonable  to  insist  on  the  claims  of  this  Sir  Thomas. 


XX  INTRODUCTION. 

III. 

On  the  31st  of  July,  1485,  M?i\ory' s  Morte  Darthur  viiSiS 
issued  from  the  press  of  VVilUam  Caxton  at  Westminster. 
At  the  very  time  of  its  appearance  England  was  in  a  turmoil 
over  a  threatened  change  of  rulers.  Three  weeks  later,  on 
the  22d  of  August,  Richard  III  fell  on  Bosworth  Field  and 
was  succeeded  by  Henry  of  Lancaster.  The  settlement 
of  the  crown  and  the  long  peace  that  ensued  were  doubtless 
of  no  small  importance  in  giving  opportunity  for  the  growth 
of  the  reading  habit  and  for  the  great  development  of  litera- 
ture in  the  following  century. 

The  year  1485  was  a  busy  one  for  Caxton.  He  had 
already  been  seven  years  at  Westminster,  and  had  printed 
there  not  less  than  forty-eight  books,  some  of  them  very 
extensive.  He  had  published  as  early  as  1478  such  books 
as  Chaucer's  CaJiterbury  Tales  and  Lydgate's  Temple  of 
Glas.  In  1 48 1  appeared  his  edition  of  The  History  of 
Godfrey  of  Boulogne ;  in  1483,  Gower's  Co/fessio  A7?iantis 
and  The  Golden  Lege?id  (Caxton's  own  translation)  ;  and  in 
1484,  Chaucer's  Troylus  and  Cresside.  Other  books  of  con- 
siderable size  and  importance  also  kept  his  press  active 
during  the  same  period.  For  the  year  1485  we  have  four 
books,  the  first  of  which  is  not  dated :  77ie  Life  of  Saint 
Winifred,  translated  by  Caxton  ;  Malory's  Morte  Darthur 
(July  31)  ;  The  Life  of  Charles  the  Grete,  translated  by  Cax- 
ton, and  published  December  i  ;  The  Knight  Paris  and  the 
Fair  Vienne,  translated  by  Caxton,  and  published  December 
19.  Caxton  finished  his  translation  of  The  Life  of  Charles 
the  Grete  on  the  i8th  of  June,  six  weeks  before  he  had 
completed  the  printing  of  the  Morte  Darthur.  The  trans- 
lating and  the  printing  must  therefore  have  been  for  a  con- 
siderable part  of  the  time  going  on  together.  As  in  the 
preceding  years,  so  in  1485,  Caxton  aimed  to  publish  chiefly 


INTRODUCTION.  xxi 

entertaining  literature.  Even  some  of  the  religious  works 
in  the  list  are  quite  as  amusing  as  they  are  instructive. 
Romances  and  poems  doubtless  sold  best,  and,  as  they 
most  interested  him,  he  published  them  in  preference  to 
more  solid  works. 

Caxton's  own  words  in  two  of  his  Prefaces  show  clearly 
what  pleasure  he  took  in  his  own  work  :  "'  Now  lete  us 
thenne  remembre  what  hystoryes  ben  wreton  of  Cristen  men, 
of  whom  ther  be  many  wreton.  But  in  especial,  as  for  the 
best  and  worthyest,  I  fynde  fyrst  the  gloryous,  most  excellent 
in  his  tyme,  arid  fyrst  founder  of  the  Round  Table,  Kyng 
Arthur,  kyng  of  the  Brytons,  that  tyme  regnyng  in  this 
royamme,  of  whos  retenue  were  many  noble  kynges,  prynces, 
lordes,  and  knyghtes,  of  which  the  noblest  were  knyghtes  of 
the  Round  Table,  of  whos  actes  and  historyes  there  be  large 
volumes,  and  bookes  grete  plenty  and  many.  O  blessed 
Lord,  when  I  remembre  the  grete  and  many  volumes 
of  Seynt  Graal,  Ghalehot,  &  Launcelotte  de  Lake,  Gawayn, 
Perceval,  Lyonel,  and  Tristram,  and  many  other,  of  whom 
were  over  longe  to  reherce,  and  also  to  me  unknowen  !  But 
thystorye  of  the  sayd  Arthur  is  so  gloryous  and  shynyng, 
that  he  is  stalled  in  the  fyrst  place  of  the  moost  noble,  beste 
and  worthyest  of  the  Cristen  men."^ 

"  Thenne  for  as  moche  I  late  had  fynysshed  in  enprynte 
the  book  of  the  noble  &  vyctorious  kyng  Arthur,  fyrst  of  the 
thre  moost  noble  &  worthy  of  crysten  kynges,  and  also  tofore 
had  reduced  into  englysshe  the  noble  hystorye  &  lyf  of 
Godefroy  of  boloyn  kyng  of  Iherusalem,  last  of  the  said  iij 
worthy,  Somme  persones  of  noble  estate  and  degree  haue 
desyred  me  to  reduce  thystorye  and  lyf  of  the  noble  and 
crysten  prynce  Charles  the  grete,  kyng  of  fraunce  & 
emperour  of  Rome,  the  second  of  the  thre  worthy,  to  thende 

^  Preface  to  Godeffroy  of  Boloyne  (a.d.  1481),  p.  2  (E.  E.  T.  S.,  Extra 
Series  Ixiv). 


xxii  INTRODUCTION. 

that  thystoryes,  actes,  &  lyues  may  be  had  in  our  maternal 
tongue,  lyke  as  they  be  in  latyn  or  in  frensshe."  ^ 

The  Morte  Darthnr  is  the  fiftieth  book  in  the  list  of 
Caxton's  publications  at  Westminster,  and  is  the  most  pre- 
cious of  all  when  measured  by  the  price  it  has  commanded 
at  book  sales.^  It  is  also  one  of  the  largest  of  his  under- 
takings, for  of  the  more  than  eighteen  thousand  pages  which 
he  printed,  the  Morte  Darthnr  contains  86 1.  Like  all  the 
other  books  that  issued  from  Caxton's  press,  this  received 
his  editorial  supervision.  He  supplied  the  Preface  and  the 
Table  of  Contents,  divided  the  narrative  into  books,  prob- 
ably revised  to  some  extent  the  orthography,  and,  not 
impossibly,  tried  to  amend  the  copy  where  it  was  imperfect. 
Yet  to  what  extent  Caxton  really  changed  Malory's  text, 
whether  the  author  and  the  printer  ever  met,  whether  Malory 
entirely  finished  certain  parts  of  his  work,  whether  he  had 
imperfect  French  manuscripts,  or  whether  Caxton  cut  out 
what  seemed  superfluous,  or  whether  a  part  of  Malory's 
translation  may  have  been  lost  in  the  fifteen  years  that 
elapsed  between  the  conclusion  of  the  translation  and  the 
publishing,  —  these  and  scores  of  questions  we  must  meet 
with  a  confession  of  our  ignorance. 

1  Charles  the  Crete,  A.D.  1485,  p.  2  (E.  E.  T.  S.). 

2  Some  inaccuracy  has  crept  into  the  accounts  of  the  recent  sales  of 
the  unique  copy  of  the  Morte  Darthnr.  For  instance,  in  the  Diet.  0/ 
Nat.  Biog.,  ix,  389,  we  read :  "  The  highest  price  paid  for  a  Caxton  is 
£1950.  This  sum  was  given  by  Mr.  Bernard  Quaritch,  in  behalf  of  a 
Chicago  merchant,  at  Sotheby's  sale  rooms,  on  6  May,  1885,  for  the 
unique  copy  of  Malory's  '  King  Arthur,'  in  the  Osterley  Park 
Library." 

The  price  was  £1950  in  addition  to  the  agent's  commission.  The 
book  was  not  bought  for  a  Chicago  merchant,  but  by  Mr.  Norton  Q. 
Pope  of  Brooklyn  for  his  wife's  library.  The  Pope  collection,  contain- 
ing the  Morte  Darthnr,  was  purchased  in  1896  by  Messrs.  Dodd,  Mead, 
&  Co.  of  New  York,  and  by  them  sold  to  Mr.  Robert  Hoe  of  that 
city.     The  particulars  as  to  the  price  have  not  been  made  public. 


INTRODUCTION. 


XXIU 


The  printing  was  tolerably  well  done  for  the  15th  century, 
and,  if  we  consider  the  possibility  that  the  printers  had  here 
and  there  to  follow  bad  copy,  the  general  accuracy  of  the 
text  is  surprising.  There  is  little  probability  that  Malory 
saw  the  book  in  print. ^  If  he  did  he  must  have  left  the 
details  of  the  printing  almost  wholly  to  Caxton. 

In  the  six  remaining  years  of  Caxton's  life  he  printed 
seventeen  books,  but  he  did  not  issue  a  second  edition  of 
the  Morte  Darthiir. 

The  list  of  editions^  of  the  Morte  Darthiir  since  Caxton 
is  as  follows : 


Black  Letter. 

1.  Caxton  ....     1485,  folio. 

2.  W.  de  Worde      .     1498,     " 

3.  W.  de  Worde      .     1529,     " 

4.  W.  Copland    .     .     1557,     " 


5.   Th.  East    .     about  1585, 


"      1585.  4to. 


7.    W.  Stansby 


1634, 


Roman  Type. 

1.  Hazelwood,  1816.  3  vols.  i2mo. 

2.  Walker's  British  Classics,  1816. 

2  vols.     i2mo. 

3.  R.  Southey,  1817.  2  vols.  Svo. 

4.  a.  Th.    Wright,    1856.    3    vols. 

Svo. 
b. ,1866.   3  vols.   2d  ed. 

5.  a.  Sir  E.  Strachey,  1868.  Globe 

ed.3 
b. ,  1 89 1.     Globe  ed. 

6.  H.  Oskar  Sommer,  1889,  Text, 

vol.  i,  folio. 

,  1890.     Introd.,  vol.  ii, 

folio. 


,  1 89 1,  Studies   on   the 

Sources,  vol.    iii,  folio. 


1  If  the  identification  suggested  on  p.  xv,  above,  is  correct,  Malory 
had  been  dead  fifteen  years  when  his  book  was  published. 

2  My  list  follows  Sommer's,  with  a  few  additions. 

For  the  details  concerning  the  various  editions  and  their  relation  to 
one  another,  the  reader  is  referred  to  Sommer's  edition,  ii,  2-25,  and 
Strachey's  Introd.,  pp.  xxxi-xxxvii. 

^  Strachey's  is  the  most  popular  as  well  as  the  best  of  the  modernized 
editions.     The  favorable  reception  given  to  it  by  the  public  is  shown 


xxiv  INTRODUCTION, 

The  following  editions  are    modernized  or    abridged   or 
annotated  or  otherwise  adapted  to  special  classes  of  readers  : 

The  Story  of  King  Arthur  and  his  Knights  of  the  Round  Table.  Com- 
piled and  arranged  by  J[ames]  T[homas]  K[nowles].  Being  an 
abridgment  of  "  Sir  T.  Malory's  Collection  of  Legends  of  King 
Arthur."  With  illustrations  by  G.  H.  Thomas.  London,  1862.  8°. 
Reprinted  by  F.  Warne  &  Co.,  1895. 

La  Morte  Darthur.  The  History  of  King  Arthur.  Compiled  by  T. 
Mallory.    Abridged  and  revised  by  E.  Conybeare.    London,  1868.   8°. 

La  Mort  d'Arthur.  Abridged  from  the  work  of  Sir  Thomas  Malory. 
The  old  prose  stories  whence  the  "  Idylls  of  the  King  "  have  been 
taken  by  Alfred  Tennyson.  .  .  .  Edited  with  an  Introduction  by 
B.  M.  Ranking.     London,  1871.     8°. 

The  Boy's  King  Arthur,  being  Sir  T.  Malory's  History  of  the  Round 
Table.  Edited  with  an  Introduction  by  S.  Lanier.  Illustrated  by 
A.  Kappes.     London,  1880.     8°. 

Malory's  History  of  King  Arthur  and  the  Quest  of  the  Holy  Grail 
[from  the  Morte  d'Arthur].  Edited,  with  General  Introduction  to 
the  "  Camelot  Series,"  by  Ernest  Rhys.  London,  1886.  i2mo. 
[The  editor  omits  seven  books  relating  to  Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir 
Tristram,  and  further  modernizes  and  abridges  the  remainder.] 

King  Arthur  and  the  Knights  of  the  Round  Table.  A  modernized 
version  of  the  Morte  Darthur,  by  Charles  Morris.  Philadelphia, 
1891.     3  vols.     i2mo. 

Malory's  Book   of  Marvellous    Adventures,  and  other  Books   of   the 
Morte  d'Arthur.     Edited  by  Ernest    Rhys.     London,  1892.     i2mo 
(Scott  Library). 

Malory's  History  of  King  Arthur  and  the  Knights  of  the  Round  Table. 
London  and  New  York,  1893.  i2mo  (vol.  xlix  of  Lubbock's  "  Hun- 
dred Best  Books  "). 

Le  Morte  Darthur  of  Sir  T.  Malory,  with  Introduction  by  Professor 
J.  Rhys  and  illustrations  by  Aubrey  Beardsley.  London,  1893, 
1894.     2  vols.     4°.     [The  text  is  modernized,  but  is  complete.] 

by  the  frequency  with  which  it  has  been  reprinted  :  "  First  Edition 
printed  March,  1868;  Reprinted  with  slight  alterations  August,  1868; 
Reprinted  (Index  added)  1S69,  1871,  1S76,  1879,  1882,  1884,  1886,  1889 
(Introduction  rewritten),  1891."     Globe  ed.,  p.  iv. 


INTRODUCTION.  XXV 

The  Court  of  King  Arthur.  Stories  from  the  Land  of  the  Round 
Table,  by  Wm.  Henry  Frost.  New  York,  1896.  i2mo.  [A  dilution 
of  the  Arthur  stories  for  children.] 

Malory's  Le  Morte  d'Arthur.  Selections,  edited  with  Introduction, 
Notes,  and  Glossary  1  by  A.  T.  Martin.  London  and  New  York, 
1897  [Macmillan's  English  Classics]. 

Malory's  Morte  Darthur,i  edited  by  Israel  Gollancz.  London  and  New 
York,  1897  [The  Temple  Classics]. 

IV. 

Malory's  purpose  in  the  Morte  Darthur  is  sufficiently 
evident  to  one  who  runs  through  the  Table  of  Contents. 
He  evidently  tried  to  bring  together,  as  compactly  as  he 
could  without. sacrificing  the  beauty  of  the  originals,  those 
Arthurian  stories  which  had  best  pleased  him.  The  title 
is  indeed  misleading,  and  its  insufficiency  is  felt  by  Caxton, 
who  presents  an  excuse  for  it  in  his  colophon  to  the  book  : 
"  Thus  endeth  thys  noble  and  loyous  book  entytled  le  morte 
Darthur  /  Notwythstandyng  it  treateth  of  the  byrth/lyf/ 
and  actes  of  the  sayd  kyng  Arthur /of  his  noble  knyghtes 
of  the  rounde  table  /  theyr  meruayllous  enquestes  and  aduen- 
tures  /  thachyeuyng  of  the  sangreal/&  in  thende  the  dolor- 
ous deth  &  departyng  out  of  thys  world  of  them  al." 

The  aim  of  the  author,  then,  was  to  furnish  for  English 
readers  a  compendium  of  the  Arthurian  stories,  and  to  give 
in  a  rough  chronological  order  the  history  of  the  life  and 
times  of  Arthur,  together  with  the  chief  exploits  of  his  most 
famous  knights.  Some  critics,  in  their  enthusiasm  for 
Malory's  work,  have  fancied  that  the  Morte  Da?'thtir 
deserves  to  be  called  an  epic  in  prose.  We  may  grant 
without  hesitation  that  Malory  has  a  vein  of  poetry,  and 
that  his  feeling  for  style  is  exquisite.     We  may  find  some- 

^  These  have  appeared  too  late  to  be  used  at  all  in  the  preparation 
of  the  present  volume. 


xxvi  INTRODUCTION. 

what  of  the  epic  breadth  of  treatment  in  parts  of  the  story. 
But  the  book  as  a  whole  lacks  the  unity  and  the  continuity 
of  an  epic  ;  and  we  hardly  gain  in  clearness  of  critical 
estimate  by  claiming  for  Malory  what  he  would  probably 
have  been  the  first  to  disavow.  If  one  wishes  to  hold  that 
Malory  wrote  an  epic  in  spite  of  himself,  or  chooses  to  dig- 
nify by  the  name  of  epic  what  is  more  exactly  described  as 
a  collection  of  charming  stories  rather  loosely  tied  together, 
there  is  no  serious  ground  for  a  quarrel. 

How  Malory  would  have  succeeded  if  he  had  tried  to 
connect  the  parts  of  his  book  more  closely,  and  had  subor- 
dinated the  episodes  to  one  great  central  conception,  we  can 
hardly  venture  to  say.  What  success  he  would  have  had 
with  verse  is  also  an  idle  question  ;  but  there  is  reason  to 
fear  that  if  he  had  attempted  to  versify  the  Morte  Darthur, 
he  would  have  added  one  more  to  the  list  of  now  forgotten 
books,  of  which  the  15th  century  produced  such  an  appalling 
number. 

Malory's  apparently  simple  task  was  far  more  difficult 
than  we  sometimes  think.  If  he  had  worked  upon  originals 
that  agreed  with  one  another  or  that  had  been  brought 
together  according  to  a  consistent  plan,  he  could  have  pro- 
ceeded mechanically  to  reduce  their  size  by  mere  excision  and 
then  to  translate  what  was  left.  But  the  French  romances 
were  not  the  work  of  a  single  author,  and  consequently  they 
could  not  show  unity  of  conception  in  delineation  of  character 
or  agreement  as  to  the  relative  importance  of  the  various 
knights  of  the  Round  Table.  The  romances  were  produced 
in  different  periods  and  under  different  influences.  Further- 
more, the  original  romances,  when  once  written,  were  so 
freely  handled  by  copyists  who  omitted  and  added  material 
at  will  that  the  final  versions  which  lay  before  Malory  pre- 
sented contradictions  not  to  be  entirely  overcome  except  by 
rewriting  the  whole  according  to  a  clearly  conceived  plan. 


INTRODUCTION.  xxvii 

It  is  not  surprising,  therefore,  that  here  and  there  in  the 
Morte  Darthur  a  knight  who  has  been  suitably  buried  should 
reappear  somewhat  later  as  though  the  experience  had  done 
him  no  harm.  Malory's  success  in  avoiding  the  pitfalls  that 
lay  in  his  path  must  be  evident  even  to  the  casual  reader ; 
but  it  can  be  fully  realized  only  by  one  who  compares  the 
Morte  Darthur  with  its  sources. 

Malory's  purpose  in  writing  his  great  romance  was  some- 
what different  from  that  of  most  of  his  predecessors  who 
had  attempted  to  tell  Arthurian  stories  in  English.  For  the 
most  part,  the  earlier  writers  had  contented  themselves  with 
translating  or  adapting  a  single  French  Arthurian  romance 
or  episode.  From  the  beginning  of  the  13th  century  this 
Arthurian  literature  had  been  steadily  growing,  until  in  the 
course  of  two  centuries  and  a  half  it  included  large  tracts  of 
Arthurian  story.  That  it  was  of  very  unequal  merit  and 
of  varying  degrees  of  originality  is  exactly  what  we  might 
expect.  We  cannot  easily  characterize  in  general  terms 
productions  so  diverse  in  character  as  Lajamon's  Brut,  the 
Merlin  in  verse,  the  Merlin  in  prose,  the  Tristram  in  verse, 
the  exquisite  Sir  Gawain  and  the  Green  Knight,  and  the 
notable  poems  on  the  death  of  Arthur.  This  list  is,  of  course, 
not  complete  ;  but,  even  when  it  is  supplemented  by  all  of  the 
minor  pieces,  it  is  far  from  including  the  immense  volume 
of  Arthurian  romance.  Moreover,  none  of  the  pieces  in 
prose  or  verse,  nor  all  of  them  together,  gave  a  connected 
view  of  the  legends  as  a  whole.  Each  romancer  or  trans- 
lator presented  an  episode  or  group  of  episodes  without 
caring  much  whether  the  separate  stories  could  be  harmo- 
nized. Then,  too,  the  English  versions  were  made  at  a  time 
when  the  language  was  rapidly  changing,  and  when  dialectal 
differences  threw  real  obstacles  in  the  path  of  a  reader. 
The  fact  that  the  versions  were  rare  and  scattered,  and  that 
the  difficulty  of  communication  presented  a  serious  problem 


xxviii  INTKODUCriOX. 

in  the  15th  century  and  greatly  hindered  acquaintance  with 
books  in  a  remote  district,  must  also  be  taken  into  account 
in  our  endeavor  to  estimate  what  may  have  influenced 
Malory  in  his  undertaking.  Furthermore,  the  Arthurian 
literature  in  French  was  far  too  extensive  to  allow  a  reader, 
unless  very  favorably  situated,  to  get  acquainted  with  any 
considerable  part  of  it.  The  MSS.  cost  much  money  and 
were  out  of  the  reach  of  any  but  the  favored  few.  Yet  the 
Arthurian  stories  had  been  for  generations  an  important 
factor  in  the  education  of  a  gentleman  ;  while,  on  the  other 
hand,  the  earlier  general  familiarity  of  English  gentlemen  with 
French  was  daily  becoming  rarer,  and  a  large  number  of 
those  readers  who  would  most  appreciate  the  old  stories 
could  not  read  the  original  French  versions.  Malory  had, 
then,  many  special  incentives  to  encourage  him  in  his  work, 
and  he  could  not  well  have  had  a  fairer  field  in  which  to  try 
his  powers. 

Whatever  may  have  influenced  Malory,  he  produced  a 
book  which  cannot  safely  be  neglected  by  the  student  of 
medieval  life  and  manners,  to  say  nothing  of  the  reader  who 
is  interested  in  the  Morte  Darthur  on  purely  literary  grounds. 
One  can  hardly  understand  the  spirit  of  the  Middle  Ages 
without  giving  much  attention  to  the  romances,  and  one  can 
find  no  romance  in  English  to  compare  with  the  Morte 
Da7'thur.  Even  though  the  life  there  depicted  is  neither 
English  nor  French,  and  though  the  narrative  has  little  or 
no  basis  in  reality,  the  picture  which  the  romance  presents 
has  just  enough  resemblance  to  the  real  society  to  be  highly 
suggestive.  Of  course  the  picture  needs  interpretation  and 
modification,  yet  it  presents  in  a  vivid  light  the  ideals  of 
what  we  somewhat  vaguely  call  chivalry,  and  is  steeped  in  the 
spirit  of  the  great  feudal  society.  This  spirit  it  was,  we  may 
well  believe,  that  made  the  book  popular  in  its  own  time, 
and  this  will  doubtless  win  for  it  favor  in  centuries  to  come. 


INTRODUCTION.  xxix 


We  cannot  properly  estimate  the  originality  of  Malory's 
work  without  studying  the  materials  that  he  used,  and  we 
ought  therefore,  if  we  had  the  space,  to  make  a  survey  of 
the  various  forms  of  Arthurian  literature  ^  existing  at  the 
time  when  Malory  wrote,  and  also  to  consider  the  various 
theories  concerning  the  origin  of  the  romances.  Yet  the 
field  thus  opened  is  so  vast,  and  the  opinions  on  matters  of 
detail  are  so  divergent,  that  I  can  here  do  no  more  than 
indicate  briefly  what  some  of  the  problems  are. 

A  glance  at  Caxton's  Table  of  Contents  to  the  Morte 
Darthur  suggests  that  the  book  is  a  composite  of  several 
different  romances.  A  careful  reading  of  the  book  itself 
proves  that  there  is  no  vital  connection  between  the  stories 
about  Merlin  and  Balin  and  Tristram  and  Launcelot.  A 
slight  study  of  the  older  French  literature  enables  us  to  see 
that  the  Mofte  Darthur  is  but  a  small  part  of  a  vast  cycle 
of  Arthurian  romances.  These  romances  have  a  common 
tie  in  that  they  all  introduce  Arthur  and  the  Round  Table  ; 
but  many  of  them  have  so  slight  a  connection  that  they 
require  but  little  investigation  to  prove  their  independent 
origin. 

We  cannot  here  consider  the  source  and  development  of 
the  various  branches  of  Arthurian  romance  represented  in  the 
Morte  Darthur,  and  we  must  therefore  leave  untouched  the 
origin  of  the  Launcelot  and  Tristram  stories,  as  well  as 
the  questions  connected  with  the  legend  of  the  Grail.  The 
primary  question,  and  the  one  which  has  most  occupied  the 
students  of  Arthurian  romance,  relates  to  the  legends  con- 
nected with  Arthur  himself. 

1  The  specific  sources  of  the  books  chosen  for  these  selections  are 
pointed  out  in  the  brief  introductions  prefixed  to  the  Notes  on  each 
book.  Hence  only  such  general  remarks  as  apply  to  the  work  as  a 
whole  can  find  a  olace  here. 


XXX  introduction: 

If  in  the  investigation  of  the  romances  we  consider  chro- 
nology rather  than  geography,  we  greatly  simplify  the  prob- 
lem. We  can  establish  with  tolerable  certainty,  except  in  a 
few  cases,  the  time  at  which  the  leading  features  of  the 
legends  appear  in  literature.  We  know  in  general  the 
literary  source  of  a  great  part  of  the  materials  used  in 
the  romances.  Moreover,  the  nucleus  of  the  Arthurian 
stories  is  admitted  to  be  Celtic.  This  is  a  fact  of  central 
importance.  The  sources  of  much  of  the  later  material 
incorporated  with  the  older  legends  are,  of  course,  to  be 
sought  in  many  widely  separated  regions.  The  accretions 
from  classical  and  biblical  legends,  from  Oriental  tales, 
from  confused  recollections  of  historical  events,  from  float- 
ing superstitions,  and  countless  other  sources,  are  immense. 
Above  all,  the  chivalric  setting  of  the  romances,  with  the 
ever-recurring  descriptions  of  feasts  and  love-making  and 
tournaments  and  battles,  affords  the  romancer  endless 
opportunity  to  copy  the  life  about  him,  and  to  use  his 
imagination  freely  in  supplying  details.  The  most  diffi- 
cult questions  do  not  appear  in  the  general  study  of  this 
material,  but  rather  in  the  attempt  to  determine,  in  detail, 
when,  where,  and  by  whom  the  French  romances  were  put 
together,  and,  in  particular,  what  is  their  relation  to  the 
Celtic  sources. 

The  progress  of  Celtic  philology  in  the  last  twenty-five 
years  has  been  rapid,  and  many  conclusions  once  thought 
to  be  established  have  been  abandoned.  The  entire  mass 
of  early  material  has  been  undergoing  a  critical  sifting  at 
the  hands  of  Paris,  Lot,  Rhys,  Phillimore,  Zimmer,  Foerster, 
Baist,  and  others.  Their  conclusions  are,  however,  not 
entirely  harmonious,  particularly  as  regards  the  insular  or 
the  continental  origin  of  portions  of  the  Arthurian  legend. 

Two  Celtic  theories  are  in  the  field  :  the  one  finds  the 
origin  of  the  Arthurian  cycle  in  Great  Britain,  where  the 


INTR  OD  UC  TION.  xxxi 

hero  of  the  legends  is  said  to  have  Hved ;  the  other 
theory  urges  the  claims  of  Brittany.  The  foremost  advocate 
of  the  insular  origin  is  M.  Gaston  Paris,  who  presents  his 
views  as  follows:  The  Romans  who  occupied  Great  Britain 
never  succeeded  in  completely  assimilating  the  Celtic 
inhabitants.  Hence,  after  the  departure  of  the  Roman 
legions,  the  Celts  again  asserted  their  supremacy.  When  in 
the  course  of  the  5  th  century  the  Germanic  invaders  began 
to  win  a  foothold  in  Britain,  the  Celts  made  a  stubborn 
resistance.  This  period  was  the  heroic  age  of  the  insular 
Britons,  and  it  produced  among  them  a  national  epic  which 
absorbed  early  mythological  and  other  elements,  and,  after 
undergoing  constant  modification,  continued  for  centuries 
later.  Moreover,  a  portion  of  the  British  population  fled 
from  the  invading  Saxons  and  crossed  the  Channel  to 
Armorica,  which  was  at  that  time  almost  uninhabited,  and 
there  founded  a  new  Britain,  where  they  preserved  their 
language  and  customs.^  After  a  long  and  obstinate  struggle 
a  peace  of  about  fifty  years  ensued.  Then  strife  in  England 
began  anew,  and  at  length  resulted  in  the  establishment  of  a 
permanent  boundary  between  the  Britons  and  the  English. 
The  history  of  the  conflict  is  very  obscure.  The  Old  Eng- 
lish Chronicle  is  brief,  and  the  British  account  of  the  matter, 
as  given  by  Gildas,^  relates  only  to  the  first  part  of  the 
struggle.  In  the  Historia  Britoniwi  of  Nennius  we  find  for 
the  first  time  the  hero  Arthur  named  as  victor  over  the 
Saxons  in  twelve  battles.  In  the  centuries  that  followed, 
Celtic  Britain  passed  into  deep  obscurity,  but  its  poetic 
activity  remained.  The  Normans,  on  becoming  acquainted 
with  the  Britons,  were  impressed  by  the  number  and  the 
skill  of  the  Welsh  singers,  by  the  excellence  of  their  music, 

1  The  evidence  for  an  extensive  early  migration    is  questioned  by 
some  critics. 

2  Gildas  makes  no  mention  of  Arthur. 


xxxii  INrRODUCTION. 

and  the  abundance  of  their  <;enealogical  traditions.  Already, 
among  the  Anglo-Saxons,  in  spite  of  the  national  antipathy, 
the  Welsh  singers  had  sung  their  lais  for  the  entertainment 
of  Anglo-Saxon  hearers.  But  after  the  Norman  Conquest 
these  wandering  singers  found  a  still  heartier  welcome 
among  the  new  masters  of  England,  and  soon  made  the 
themes  of  their  songs  familiar  on  both  sides  of  the  Channel. 
French  writers  rapidly  caught  up  the  material,  and  thus 
made  possible  the  indefinite  expansion  of  the  original  stock. 
Geoffrey  of  Monmouth's  Historia  Regum  Britanniae  used 
some  of  this  old  material  and  added  to  it  much  of  his  own 
invention.  His  work  was  translated  by  VVace  (1155)  and 
several  others,  and  was  thus  incorporated  into  the  growing 
French  literature.  Such,  in  brief,  is  the  theory  of  M. 
Gaston   Paris.' 

It  is  important  to  emphasize  the  fact  that  he  derives  most 
of  the  matiere  de  Bretagne  from  England  and  not  from 
Armorica.  The  latter  region,  he  admits,  was  doubtless 
acquainted  with  most  of  this  material,  but  appears  not  to 
have  been  called  upon  to  contribute  from  its  store  of  legends 
till  after  the  tales  from  across  the  Channel  had  become 
popular.  This  result  was,  moreover,  a  direct  outcome  of 
the  establishment  of  the  Normans  in  England.^ 

On  the  other  hand,  recognized  students  of  Celtic  literature, 
like  Rhys  and  Zimmer  and  Foerster,  strongly  urge  the 
claims  of  Armorica  (Brittany).     They  object  that  there  is 

1  I  have  followed  in  the  main  the  exposition  which  M.  Paris  makes 
of  his  views  in  La  Litt.  fraii^aise  au  Moyen  Age,  ch.  iv  ;  Hist.  litt.  de 
la  France,  xxx,  1-19;  Romania,  x,  466-468;  xii,  373. 

2  The  theory  of  G.  Paris  is  supported  by  F.  Lot  in  the  Romania  for 
1895-96  (fitudes  sur  la  Provenance  du  Cycle  Arthurien).  J.  Loth 
in  the  Revtte  Celtique,  xiii,  480  seq.,  takes  issue  with  the  sweeping  criti- 
cisms of  Zimmer,  and  holds  that  more  stress  must  be  laid  upon  the 
Welsh  elements.  In  general  agreement  with  M.  Paris  is  M.  d'Arbois 
de  Jubainville  in  La  Litt.  Celtique,  i,  42,  43. 


INTRODUCTION.  XXxiii 

no  evidence  proving  that  the  Welsh  singers  before  the 
Norman  Conquest  used  to  entertain  the  Anglo-Saxons,  or 
even  the  Normans,  "  at  a  time  early  enough  for  the  purpose 
of  M.  Paris's  argument."  They  urge  that  the  matiere  de 
Bretag?ie,  as  it  appears  in  the  romances,  is  a  product  of 
Armorica  rather  than  of  Great  Britain,  and  they  make  much 
of  the  conquest  by  the  Normans  in  the  loth  century  of  the 
eastern  part  of  Brittany,  —  a  conquest  which  led  to  close 
relations  between  Norman  and  Armorican  families.  They 
insist  upon  the  absence  of  evidence  to  show  that  the  Welsh 
before  the  12th  century  regarded  Arthur  as  a  romantic  hero. 
They  point  out  that  the  most  characteristic  feature  of  the 
romances  —  the  Round  Table  —  is  not  found  in  the  early 
Welsh  literature,  but  was  inserted  by  Wace  into  his  translation 
of  Geoffrey.  They  maintain  that  the  legend  in  Geoffrey 
(xii,  2),  which  tells  of  Arthur's  being  taken  to  Avalon  to  be 
healed  of  his  wounds,  is  essentially  Armorican  rather  than 
Welsh.  These  and  other  propositions  are  maintained  with  a 
vigor  of  argument  and  a  mass  of  learning  quite  equal  to 
what  has  yet  appeared  in  favor  of  the  theory  of  M.  Gaston 
Paris.^  One  may  go  too  far  in  admitting  that  the  case  for 
Brittany  is  entirely  made  out,  but  the  advocates  of  the 
Welsh  theory  can  hardly  hope  successfully  to  deny  that 
many  of  the  most  important  elements  in  the  romances  are 
Armorican  rather  than  Welsh.^ 

^  They  admit,  of  course,  without  hesitation,  that  in  urging  "  that  the 
full  development  of  the  Arthurian  legend  was  the  work  of  a  compara- 
tively late  period,  no  such  remark  is  meant  to  apply  to  the  materials  of 
it.  They  must  have  always  been  there  from  time  immemorial,  wherever 
there  was  a  Celt  who  spoke  a  Brythonic  language,  whether  in  Great 
Britain  or  in  the  Lesser  Britain  on  the  other  side  of  the  Channel." 
Rhys,  Studies,  p.  6. 

2  The  statement  of  the  case  against  M.  Paris  may  be  found  in  Rhys's 
Stitdies,  pp.  374-376  ;  in  his  Introd.  to  Malory's  A/orU  DariAur,  pp.  xiv- 
xvi;  in  Zimmer's  review  of  the  Hist.litt.  de  la  France,  xxx,  printed  in 
Gdttiiigsche    Gelehrte  Anzeigen    for     1890,    pp.    488-528,    785-832  ;    in 


xxxiv  INTRODUCTION. 

On  the  most  important  matter  there  is  no  controversy. 
The  Celts  on  both  sides  of  the  Channel  had  traditions  con- 
cerning Arthur,  and  hence  neither  Armorican  nor  Welshman 
can  lay  exclusive  claim  to  the  material  at  the  time  it  began 
to  be  used  by  the  romancers.  Many  tr^^itions  must  have 
possessed  common  traits,  for  intercourse  was  frequent 
between  Armorica  and  Celtic  England.  Some  of  these 
traditions  would  doubtless  in  time  be  partly  forgotten  on 
one  side  of  the  Channel,  while  preserved  and  fostered  on 
the  other  side.  The  great  outlines  would  be  alike,  but 
many  important  differences  would  be  inevitable.  If  we 
assume  that  the  traditions  concerning  Arthur  have  any 
historical  basis,  we  must,  of  course,  fix  the  home  of  the 
original  Arthur  in  Great  Britain.^     Furthermore,  on  purely 

Zimmer's  articles  in  Zeitschrift  filr  franz.  Sprache  imd  Lit.,  xii,  230seq. 
(Bretonisciie  Elemente  in  der  Arthursage  des  Gottfried  von  Monmouth) ; 
in  xiii,  i  seq.  (Beitrage  zur  Namenforschung  in  den  altfranz.  Arthur- 
epen)  ;  and  in  his  Nemiius  Viiidicatus,  Berlin,  1S93.  (Reviewed  by 
Thumeysen  in  Zacher's  Zeitschrift  fur  deutsche  Philologie,  pp.  xxviii,  80 
seq.  Cf.  also  Piitz  in  Zeitschrift  filr  franz.  Sprache  tmd  Lit.,  xiv,  161 
seq.  (Zur  Gesch.  der  Entwicklung  der  Artursage) ;  Foerster,  Introd. 
to  Erec  und  Enide,  Halle,  1890. 

1  There  is  now  little  objection  made  to  the  historical  existence  of  a 
British  leader  named  Arthur,  but  care  is  taken  to  limit  his  exploits  to 
the  conflicts  of  the  Britons  with  the  Saxons  and  other  invaders  at  the 
end  of  the  5th  and  the  beginning  of  the  6th  century.  Cf.  Zimmer, 
Nennius  Viiidicatus,  p.  285;  Rhys,  Address  before  Mythological  Sec- 
tion of  Internat.  Folk- Lore  Cong.,  1891,  p.  158  ;  Rhys,  Celtic  Britain, 
pp.  234-237  ;  Rhys,  Studies,  ch.  i  (Arthur,  Historical  and  Mythical)  ; 
Rhys,  Preface  to  Malory's  Mo7-te  Daithur,  pp.  xxxv,  xxxvi;  Nutt, 
Problems  of  Heroic  Legend  (Tnternat.  Folk-Lore  Cong.,  1891),  p.  119; 
Skene,  Four  Ancient  Books  of  Wales,  i,  226  ;  Piitz,  Zeitschrift  filr  franz. 
Sprache  und  Lit.,  xiv,  187-192;  Thurneysen,  Engl.  Stud.,  xxii,  163-179 
(Wann  sind  die  Germanen  nach  England  gekommen  1 ) ,  etc. 

Yre&m2cn,  Normafi  Conquest,  i,  13S,  makes  the  suggestive  remark: 
"  It  is  not  unlikely  that  the  conquest  of  Gaul  by  an  Emperor  who  set 
forth  from  Britain  may  be  the  kernel  of  truth  round  which  much  of  the 
mythical  history  of  Arthur  has  gathered." 


INTRODUCTION.  xxxv 

a  priori  grounds  we  may  urge  that  the  Armorican  Britons 
would  be  unlikely  to  lay  the  scene  of  Arthur's  exploits  in 
Great  Britain  unless  the  traditions  really  originated  there. 
On  the  other  hand,  the  later  development  of  the  legends 
may  perhaps  have  proceeded  more  vigorously  in  Brittany 
than  in  Great  Britain  itself,  and  hence  have  furnished  the 
French  romancers  with  an  abundance  of  material  at  their 
very  doors. 

We  are  not,  then,  driven  to  maintain  that  all  the  material 
in  the  form  it  assumes  in  the  romances  necessarily  came  in 
the  1 2th  and  13th  centuries  from  insular  to  continental 
Britain,  though  there  is  nothing  improbable  in  the  supposi- 
tion that  some  .legends  floated  across  the  Channel  after 
Arthurian  stories  began  to  be  in  demand. 

Just  why  Arthur  and  the  Round  Table  furnished  an 
especially  engaging  theme  after  the  middle  of  the  12th 
century  we  cannot  undertake  here  to  inquire,  but  the  imme- 
diate occasion  was  undoubtedly  the  publication  of  Geoffrey 
of  Monmouth's  Historia  Regum  Britanniae  (1132-35)  and 
Wace's  translation  of  the  same  into  French  verse  under  the 
title  of  Li  Romans  de  Brut  (1155).  This  became  the  most 
popular  of  several  French  versions  of  Geoffrey's  book. 
When  the  story  had  been  thus  introduced  to  the  French 
public,  the  endless  possibilities  of  the  theme  were  quickly 
perceived.  A  great  number  of  writers  began  to  produce 
Arthurian  romances  ;  at  first,  for  the  most  part,  in  verse,^ 
and  then,  as  the  reading  habit  grew,  in  a  multitude  of  prose 
versions.  Along  with  the  original  Arthurian  romances  came 
to  be  early  associated  a  group  of  other  romances  not  properly 
connected  with  Arthur  at  all. 

These  prose  romances  afford  an  inviting  field  for  critical 

^  Some  critics  are  now  disposed  to  date  the  prose  versions  in  some 
cases  earlier  than  the  verse  romances.  This,  however,  can  hardly  be 
proved  for  the  great  majority  of  the  prose  versions. 


xxxvi  INTRODUCTION. 

investigation,  since  the  authors,  the  dates,  and  the  relations 
of  the  prose  versions  to  the  poetical  versions,  as  vi'ell  as  the 
relations  of  the  prose  versions  to  one  another,  are  largely 
undetermined.^  An  early  version  was  regarded  as  the 
rightful  possession  of  any  later  copyist,  who,  as  likely  as 
not,  was  himself  an  author.  Hence  the  romances  are  a 
patchwork  of  the  most  singular  and  complex  character.  The 
romance  of  Merlin,  to  take  a  single  instance,  is  in  the  main 
alike  in  all  the  versions  up  to  the  coronation  of  Arthur. 
After  this  point  it  is  continued  by  at  least  a  half-dozen 
different  writers,  some  of  whom  produced  versions  wholly 
unlike  any  of  the  others.  One  of  these  continuations,  which 
now  exists  in  but  a  single  French  MS.,^  furnished  Malory  a 
part  of  the  material  for  the  Morte  Darthur.  But  even  the 
most  popular  continuation,  which  has  come  down  to  us  in  a 
great  number  of  MSS.,  is  by  no  means  free  from  interpola- 
tions and  omissions.  The  general  run  of  the  story  in  the 
various  MSS.  is  much  the  same,  but  the  minor  differences 
are  countless.  The  variation  in  the  spelling  of  proper 
names  and  in  the  lists  of  numerals  can  be  accounted  for  by 
mere  carelessness  on  the  part  of  the  scribe,  but  extensive 
omissions  and  additions  indicate  the  would-be  author  as  well 
as  the  copyist. 

A  detailed  account  of  the  French  Arthurian  romances 
must  be  sought  elsewhere.^     We  have  to  notice,  in  a  word, 

1  Cf.  the  remarks  of  G.  Paris,  Hist.  litt.  de  la  France,  xxx,  2. 

2  The  Huth  MS.  in  London. 

8  See  in  general  G.  Paris,  La  Litt.  /ran faise  ati  Moyen  Age,  ch.  iv,  and 
his  account  of  the  verse  romances  in  Hist.  litt.  de  la  France,  xxx,  1-270; 
Paulin  Paris,  Les  Romans  de  la  Table  Ronde,  5  vols.,  Paris,  1868-77 
(gives  detailed  analysis  of  Le  Saint  Graal,  Merlin,  Lancelot  du  Lac,  and 
discussion  of  the  sources)  ;  Dunlop's  Hist,  of  Prose  Fiction,  2  vols., 
London,  1S88  (revised  by  Henry  Wilson)  ;  H.  L.  D.  Ward,  Catal.  oj 
Romances  in  the  Dept.  of  MSS.  in  the  British  Mtcsetim,  i,  London,  1883. 
Maccallum,    Tennyson's   Idylls  and  Arthurian   Story  from  the  XVIth 


INTRODUCTION.  xxxvii 

those  which  Malory  used.  These  are  (i)  the  Merlin,  already 
mentioned,  (2)  Lancelot,  (3)  Tristan,  (4)  The  Quest  of  the 
Holy  Grail.  Besides  these  we  must  assume,  I  think,  the 
existence  of  French  versions  for  those  English  poems  (or 
at  least  for  one  of  them)  which  parallel  closely  some  of 
the  material  in  the  Morte  Darthur.  The  Laticelot,  like  the 
Merlin,  brings  in  a  vast  mass  of  material  drawn  from  the 
most  varied  sources.  The  Tristan  is  very  loosely  connected 
with  the  Arthurian  cycle,  and  appears  to  have  been  swept 
into  it  because  of  the  convenience  of  making  renewed  use 
of  characters  already  famous  for  their  association  with 
Arthur.  The  story  of  the  quest  of  the  Grail  is  nothing  but 
a  subordinate  part  of  the  great  cycle  of  the  legends  of  the 
Holy  Grail.  In  this  cycle  is  a  mass  of  legendary  material 
with  which  the  story  of  Arthur  has  properly  nothing  to  do ; 
but  the  literary  possibilities  involved  in  supposing  the  holy 
vessel  to  be  lost  and  to  be  sought  for  by  knights  of  the 
Round  Table  were  too  alluring  to  be  resisted.  Hence, 
when  the  situation  was  clearly  conceived  by  the  romancers, 
they  followed  it  out  in  all  its  consequences,  and  thus  pro- 
duced one  of  the  most  striking  romances  of  the  Arthurian 
cycle.  The  most  brilliant  of  the  writers  who  treated  the 
Grail  legends  was  Chre'tien  de  Troyes,  whose  Perceval  or 
Conte  del  Graal — a  fragment  of  10,601  verses,  doubtless 
based  upon  an  Anglo-Norman  original  —  was  continued  by 
various  writers  until  it  included  more  than  sixty  thousand 
verses.  The  prose  versions  are  also  of  enormous  extent. 
We  must  not  allow  ourselves  to  enter  further  upon  the 

Century,  London,  1894.  For  other  references,  see  Sommer,  iii,  1-8; 
Romania,  Zeitschrift  fiir  franz.  Sprache  und  Lit.,  etc.  I  have  given 
some  further  references  in  the  brief  introductions  prefixed  to  the  differ- 
ent books  of  our  selections. 

The  most  recent  popular  account  is  found  in  Saintsbury,  The  Flour- 
ishing of  Romance  and  the  Rise  of  Allegory,  ch.  iii  (The  Matter  of 
Britain),  New  York,  1897. 


xxxvii  i  INTR  OD  UC  TION. 

discussion  of  the  French  romances  or  their  sources,  but  must 
turn  to  other  questions.^ 

VI. 

After  this  brief  study  of  the  original  materials  of  which 
the  Morte  Darthur  is  composed,  we  may  well  glance  at  the 
history  of  the  book  since  its  first  publication  and  note  the 
influence  it  has  exerted  upon  later  literature.  There  is  some 
difficulty  in  tracing  the  influence  of  a  great  book  like 
Malory's,  for  the  suggestions  that  come  from  it  may  be  so 
indirect  that  they  cannot  be  followed.  Yet  the  wonderful 
thing  about  the  Morte  Darthur  is  that,  so  far  as  we  can 
follow  it,  we  find  it  has  been  a  perennial  inspiration  to  poets, 
and  that  it  has  furnished  the  material,  and  even  a  part  of 
the  diction,  of  more  than  one  exquisite  poem.  No  other 
English  book  has  called  into  being  such  a  library  of  poetry 
as  has  the  Aforte  Darthur.  The  bulk  of  this  poetry  is  work 
of  the  19th  century,  but  traces  of  Malory's  influence  are  not 
lacking  in  earlier  centuries. 

^  Sommer's  account  of  the  sources,  omitting  all  detail,  runs  as  fol- 
lows: Bks.  i,  ii,  iii,  iv  are  based  upon  some  form  of  the  Merlin  story, 
which  we  can  follow  in  various  French  MSS.  Bk.  v  is  a  prose  version 
of  the  English  poem  La  Morte  Arthure  of  Huchown  (ed.  Brock,  E.  E. 
T.  S.),  with  slight  additions  from  other  sources.  Bk.  vi  is  based  upon 
the  French  Lancelot.  Bk.  vii  has  not  yet  been  traced  to  its  source. 
Bks.  viii,  ix,  x  represent  the  French  romance  of  Tristan,  with  the  excep- 
tion that  chs.  xxi-xxviii  of  Bk.  x,  telling  of  the  adventures  of  Alysanader 
le  Orphelyn  and  of  the  Great  Tournament  of  Surluse,  are  taken  from 
the  French  Prophecies  of  Merlin.  Bks.  xi-xvii  are  in  the  main  from  the 
Lancelot,  though  some  chapters  are  doubtful.  Bks.  xiii-xvii  follow  the 
story  of  the  quest  of  the  Grail,  included  in  the  Lancelot.  Bks.  xviii-xxi 
present  a  more  difficult  problem  than  is  afforded  by  the  other  books. 
I  therefore  refer  the  reader  to  the  discussion  of  the  sources  in  the  intro- 
ductions  to  Bks.  xviii  and  xxi  of  these  selections,  pp.  293-295,  305-310. 
The  reservations  which  Sommer  himself  makes  at  various  points  may 
be  found  in  his  third  volume,  Studies  on  the  Sources. 


INTR  on  UC  TION.  xxxix 

What  sort  of  reception  was  given  to  Malory's  book  in  his 
own  century  we  do  not  precisely  know,  since  we  have  no 
data  concerning  the  size  of  the  edition  printed  by  Caxton 
and  no  contemporary  allusion  to  it.  Yet  the  fact  that  a 
second  edition  of  so  large  a  work  was  published  within  thir- 
teen years  may  be  taken  as  evidence  of  public  favor.  The 
continued  popularity  of  the  Morte  Darthur  throughout  the 
1 6th  century  is  proved  by  the  publication  of  four  editions, 
and  by  the  complaint  of  that  sturdy  old  moralist  Roger 
Ascham  that  people  were  reading  the  Morte  Darthur  when 
they  might  be  better  employed.^ 

When  we  consider  with  what  infatuation  aspiring  scholars 
and  the   reading,  public  in   general  greeted  the  newly  dis- 

^  Ascham's  remarks  have  been  often  quoted,  but  they  are  too  impor- 
tant to  be  passed  over  with  a  mere  reference.  After  severely  condemn- 
ing the  books  and  the  morals  of  Italy,  he  goes  on  to  say :  "  In  our 
forefathers  tyme,  whan  Papistrie,  as  a  standyng  poole,  couered  and 
ouerflowed  all  England,  fewe  bookes  were  read  in  our  tong,  sauyng  cer- 
taine  bookes  Cheualrie,  as  they  sayd,  for  pastime  and  pleasure,  which, 
as  some  say,  were  made  in  Monasteries,  by  idle  Menkes,  or  wanton 
Chanons :  as  one  for  example,  Morte  Arthure :  the  whole  pleasure  of 
which  booke  standeth  in  two  speciall  poyntes,  in  open  mans  slaughter, 
and  bold  bawdrye :  In  which  booke  those  be  counted  the  noblest 
Knightes  that  do  kill  most  men  without  any  quarrell,  and  commit  fowl- 
est  aduoulter[i]es  by  sutlest  shiftes :  as  Sir  Lamuelot  with  the  wife  of 
king  Arthure  his  master  :  Syr  Tristram  with  the  wife  of  king  Marke 
his  vncle  :  Syr  Lamerocke  with  the  wife  of  king  Lote,  that  was  his  owne 
aunte.  This  is  good  stuffe,  for  wise  men  to  laugh  at,  or  honest  men  to 
take  pleasure  at.  Yet  I  know,  when  Gods  Bible  was  banished  the 
Court,  and  Morte  Arthure  receiued  into  the  Princes  chamber.  What 
toyes,  the  dayly  reading  of  such  a  booke,  may  worke  in  the  will  of  a 
yong  ientleman  or  a  yong  mayde,  that  liueth  welthily  and  idelie,  wise 
men  can  iudge,  and  honest  men  do  pitie.  And  yet  ten  Morte  Arthures 
do  not  the  tenth  part  so  much  harme,  as  one  of  these  books,  made  in 
Italie  and  translated  in  P'.ngland."  The  Scolcmaster  (1570),  p.  80 
(Arber's  reprint).  Ascham  had  used  some  of  the  same  phrases,  yet 
without  naming  the  Morte  Darthur,  in  the  preface  to  his  Toxophilus, 
1545  (Arber's  reprint),  p.  19. 


xl  INTRODUCTION. 

covered  Latin  and  Greek  classics  in  the  period  of  the 
Revival  of  Learning,  we  may  well  be  surprised  that  the 
Morie  Darthur  won  favor  while  most  of  the  other  literature 
of  the  Middle  Ages  was  being  rapidly  forgotten.  In  the 
early  part  of  the  century  the  versions  of  Artus  de  la  Bretagne 
and  of  Hiion  of  Bourdcaux  by  Lord  Berners  divided  with 
Malory's  book  what  interest  was  left  for  mediseval  literature, 
but  they  gradually  lost  their  hold  on  the  reading  public,  and 
seem  to  have  been  almost  destitute  of  influence  upon  the 
later  development  of  the  literature.  Malory  indeed  so  far 
eclipsed  his  rivals  that  his  is  almost  the  only  one  of  the 
early  English  Arthurian  romances  known  even  by  name  to 
the  average  modern  reader. 

Malory's  popularity  in  the  great  transitional  period  of  the 
1 6th  century  is  certainly  remarkable,  but  the  influence  of  his 
book  was  not  strong  enough  to  allure  many  English  poets  to 
enthusiastic  original  work  in  the  Arthurian  cycle. ^  Most  of 
the  Arthurian  literature  of  the  i6th  century  is  poor  in  quality 
and  not  remarkable  for  quantity.  The  single  drama  ^  on 
Arthur  is  hardly  readable,  and  most  of  the  other  forms 
of  literature  touch  the  Arthurian  cycle  only  incidentally. 
Writers  seem  to  have  felt  that  the  old  m.achinery  of  tourna- 
ments, and  knights  rescuing  ladies,  the  killing  of  dragons, 
and  the  fulfillment  of  fantastic  vows  was  worn  out.^    Satire 

1  For  Malory's  influence  on  Hawes's  Pastime  of  Pleasure,  see  Court- 
hope's  Hist,  of  Eng.  Poetry,  i,  380  ;  Sommer,  ii,  15;  and  Warton's 
Hist,  of  Eng.  Poetry,  ed.  Hazlitt,  iii,  169-188. 

2  Thomas  Hughes's  Misfortunes  of  Arthur  (1587).  This  owes  little 
or  nothing  to  Malory.  Printed  in  Dodsley^s  Old  Plays,  ed.  Hazlitt,  iv, 
249-343.  Hathway's  play  on  The  Life  and  Death  of  Arthur  King  of 
England  is  mentioned  in  Henslow's  Diary,  Apr.  11,  12,  1598,  but  is  not 
otherwise  known. 

3  It  is  at  least  possible  that  the  Morte  Darthur  suggested  some  of 
the  characters  that  played  a  part  in  the  festivities  at  Kenilworth  in 
1575,  only  five  years  after  Ascham's  complaint  (cf.  p.  xxix,  above)  that 


INTRODUCTION.  xli 

and  parody  had  begun  to  make  the  old  conceptions  ridicu- 
lous.^ The  writers  who  represented  the  popular  taste 
turned  for  themes  to  Spain  and  to  Italy,  to  Greece  and  to 
Rome,  and  to  less  hackneyed  subjects  suggested  by  real  or 
legendary  national  history.  Attention  was  also  drawn  more 
and  more  to  the  absorbing  questions  of  the  Reformation. 
Little  wonder  is  it,  then,  that  the  Morte  Darthur  and  other 
romances  were,  as  living  forces  in  literature,^  simply  crowded 
out. 

The  great  apparent  exception  is  Spenser's  Faerie  Queene. 

the  book  was  too  much  read.  In  The  Princelye  Pleasiires  at  the  Conrte 
at  Kenelwoorth  .  .  .  in  the  Yeare  i^y^,  Lond.,  1576  (Reprinted,  Lond., 
1821),  we  find  (pp.  2;  3)  verses  recited  by  the  "  Ladie  of  the  Lake," 
who  had  lived  in  the  Lake  "since  the  time  of  great  King  Arthure's 
reigne."  On  pp.  8-10  we  learn  that  the  Lady  had  been  compelled  to 
remain  in  the  Lake  by  "  Sir  Bruse,  sauns  pittie,  in  revenge  of  his  cosen 
Merlyne,  the  Prophet,  whom  for  his  inordinate  lust  she  had  inclosed  in 
a  Rocke."  No  such  relationship  is  hinted  at  in  the  .Morte  Darthur,  and 
no  exploit  exactly  like  this  is  assigned  to  Breuse  saunce  pyte,  who  is, 
nevertheless,  frequently  mentioned.  Breuse  is  credited  with  several 
villainous  performances  in  the  Morte  Darthur,  such  as  following  a  lady 
to  slay  her  (p.  397,  Sommer's  ed.)  and  killing  a  lady's  brother  and  keep- 
ing her  at  his  own  will  {ibid.,  p.  407).  He  may,  therefore,  have  seemed 
to  be  a  suitable  character  to  be  pressed  into  such  service  as  was  desired  at 
the  festivities.  Literal  reproduction  of  the  Arthurian  legends  was  not 
desired,  for  novelty  was  the  chief  aim  in  the  whole  entertainment  ;  but 
the  romantic  motives  and  the  names  were  as  likely  to  have  been  sug- 
gested by  the  Morte  Djxrthur  as  by  any  Arthurian  literature  that  has 
come  down  to  us. 

1  A  marked  instance  of  the  spirit  in  which  the  old  romances  were 
regarded  is  seen  in  Beaumont  and  Fletcher's  Knight  of  the  Burning 
Pestle  (1610),  which  was  evidently  suggested  by  Don  Quixote  (1605). 
Rabelais's  burlesque  of  the  extravagances  of  chivalry  appeared  as  early 
as  1 532. 

2  Robert  Chester's  King  Arthur,  printed  in  The  Anuals  of  great 
Brittaine,  London,  161 1  (ed.  Grosart),  pp.  34-80,  shows  considerable 
acquaintance  with  Malory's  book,  particularly  in  the  address  To  the 
courteous  Reader,  p.  35,  and  in  the  first  division  of  the  poem. 


xlii  INTRODUCTION. 

This  does  indeed  borrow  motives  in  great  abundance  from 
mediaeval  cliivalry  and  from  Arthurian  romance,  but  it  con- 
tains only  a  few  passages  that  suggest  an  acquaintance  with 
Malory.  We  must  believe  that  the  Morte  Darthur  gave 
some  inspiration  to  the  poet,  yet  we  find  that  the  larger  por- 
tion of  the  Arthurian  material  is  drawn  from  Holinshed  and 
from  Hardyng.^  The  Faerie  Qiieene  was  born  out  of  due 
time,  and  although  it  is  the  noblest  poetic  achievement  of 
the  1 6th  century,  it  is,  so  far  as  external  structure  goes,  in 
the  strictest  sense  artificial,  a  literary  tour  deforce. 

The  17th  and  i8th  centuries  were,  as  a  whole,  out  of  sym- 
pathy with  the  spirit  of  Arthurian  romance.  A  single  edition 
of  the  Morte  Darthur  (1634)  supplied  the  demand  of  the 
reading  public  up  to  the  year  18 16.  We  cannot  say  posi- 
tively that  the  book  was  disliked,  but  we  may  be  sure  that 
it  was  little  read.  Neither  Cavaliers  nor  Puritans  knew 
much  about  the  Middle  Ages,  and  they  cared  less.  Here 
and  there  an  antiquary  or  a  poet  delved  into  the  literature 
of  the  pre- Reformation  period,  but  the  attention  of  the 
public,  and  even  of  men  of  letters,  was  given  to  other 
matters.  The  men  who  wrote  society  verse  and  scribbled 
indecent  plays  for  the  delight  of  Charles  the  Second's 
court  had  no  interest  in  Arthur  or  Launcelot  or  Galahad. 
Milton  ^  did  indeed  think  of  writing  an  Arthurian  epic,  and 
Dryden  actually  wrote  an  Arthurian  opera,  but  they  stood 
well-nigh  alone.  The  epic  was  produced  by  the  well-inten- 
tioned but  long-winded  Dr.  Richard  Blackmore,  whose 
Pri7ice  Arthur,    published    in    1695,   actually   ran    through 

^  For  a  list  of  references  to  the  passages  in  the  Faerie  Queene,  where 
the  Arthurian  story  principally  appears,  see  Littledale's  Essays  on  Tenny- 
son's Idylls  of  the  King  (London,  1893),  p.  17.  Spenser's  chief  sources 
for  the  poem  as  a  whole  were,  of  course,  Ariosto  and  Tasso. 

'^  For  the  passages  in  Milton's  Latin  poems  in  which  he  refers  to 
Arthur,  see  Mansus,  11.  78-84,  Epitaphium  Damonis,  11.  162-168. 


INTRODUCTION.  xliii 

several  editions.'  No  more  convincing  proof  is  needed  of 
the  difference  in  spirit  between  the  age  that  produced 
Malory  and  the  age  that  produced  Blackmore.  The  sweet 
simplicity  of  the  Morte  Darthur  is  replaced  by  an  ambitious 
combination  of  hobbling  verse  and  moralizing  twaddle.  The 
prosing  doctor  was  an  estimable  man,  but  he  should  have 
kept  his  hands  off  an  Arthurian  epic. 

We  cannot  regard  Blackmore's  attempt  and  his  tolerable 
vogue  in  his  own  day  as  evidence  of  Malory's  popularity  in 
the  17th  and  i8th  centuries.  There  was  no  modernized 
edition  of  the  Morte  Darthur.,  and  the  prose  of  the  15th 
century,  simple  as  it  is  in  Malory's  pages,  doubtless  presented 
just  enough  difficulty  to  repel  readers  who  brought  a  languid 
interest  to  an  old  and  partly  forgotten  book.  The  writers 
of  the  older  period  were  too  childishly  simple  to  suit  a  hard- 
headed,  matter-of-fact  age  such  as  the  early  i8th  century. 
Naturally  enough,  then,  the  prevailing  opinion  concerning 
the  older  literature  was  that  it  was  the  product  of  a  barbarous 
time  and  not  worthy  the  attention  of  readers. 

The  gradual  change  in  taste  which  marked  the  close  of 
the  1 8th,  and  the  beginning  of  the  19th,  century,  placed  the 
Middle  Ages  in  a  truer  light,  and  even  led  to  an  overesti- 
mate of  the  value  of  their  artistic  and  ethical  ideals.  But 
along  with  the  extravagances  of  Romanticism,  there  was  a 
quick  appreciation  of  the  essential  beauty  of  the  Age  of 
Chivalry,  and  a  desire  to  adapt  what  was  best  in  it  to  the 
needs  of  modern  life.  Yet  Malory  appears  to  have  had 
comparatively  little  to  do  with  the  development  of  the 
Romantic  movement  in  the  latter  part  of  the  i8th  century. 
Several  of  the  poems  of  unknown  age  in  Percy's  Reliques 
(1765),  such  as  King  Arthur's  Death,  The  Legend  of  King 
Arthur.,  King  Ryence' s  Challenge,  and  Sir  Lancelot  du  Lake, 

^  The  original  poem,  in  ten  books,  was  followed  in  1697  by  King 
Art/iur,  in  twelve  books. 


xliv  INTRODUCTION. 

make  considerable  use  of  the  Morte  Darthiir ;  but  others, 
such  as  llie  Boy  and  the  Mantle.,  The  Horn  of  King  Arthur, 
The  Grene  Knight.,  Carle  of  Carlile,  and  The  Marriage  of  Sir 
Gawaine,  are  based  upon  material  not  found  at  all  in  Malory. 
Both  Percy  and  Warton  had  a  tolerable  acquaintance  with 
the  Morte  Darthur  and  its  relation  to  other  literature,  but 
there  is  little  evidence  that  many  other  18th-century  scholars 
troubled  themselves  with  the  book  at  first  hand. 

The  revival  of  interest  in  Malory  during  our  own  century 
is  in  marked  contrast  with  the  neglect  of  him  in  the  17th  and 
early  i8th  centuries,  and  appears  in  many  quarters.  The 
publication  of  Southey's  edition  of  Malory  is  a  fact  of  great 
significance  in  the  literary  history  of  the  last  three  genera- 
tions. Southey  wrote  the  introduction,  but  left  the  text  of 
Malory  to  shift  for  itself,  —  somewhat  to  the  disadvantage 
of  the  text.  Yet  the  importance  of  his  edition  is  not  to 
be  measured  by  its  accuracy  or  philological  value.  Its  sig- 
nificance lies  in  the  fact  that  it  appeared  just  at  the 
time  when  the  rediscovery  of  the  Middle  Ages  had  prepared 
young  poets  to  read  it  and  to  be  filled  with  its  spirit.  The 
impulse  which  it  gave  to  the  writing  of  poems  based  directly 
upon  it  or  upon  material  connected  with  the  Arthurian  cycle 
has  lasted  down  to  our  own  day. 

I  shall  not  undertake  in  this  rapid  sketch  to  mention,^ 
much  less  to  discuss,  all  the  Arthurian  poems  that  have 
appeared  in  our  century.  The  proper  treatment  of  the 
theme  would  require  more  detail  than  is  possible  here.  A 
few  of  the  best-known  names  may  serve  to  indicate  how 
deeply  the  Arthurian  story  has  appealed  to  the  poetic  sense 
of  our  own  time. 

^  An  interesting  evidence  of  the  change  of  poetic  temper  is  afforded 
by  Bishop  Heber's  Morte  Arthur,  an  unfinished  piece  full  of  romantic 
motives.  Heber  was  familiar  with  Malory's  book,  but  made  slight  use 
of  it  in  his  poem. 


INTRODUCTION.  xlv 

The  English  poet  whose  work  is  most  popular  in  our  gen- 
eration is  Tennyson.  The  popular  verdict  would  doubtless 
not  hesitate  to  name  as  his  most  characteristic  achievement 
The  Idylls  of  the  King.  This  group  of  poems  is  the  most 
extensive  in  mass  and  the  most  attractive  in  theme  of  all  his 
works.  Other  poems  of  his  have  more  depth  and  equal 
beauty,  but  they  have  not  appealed  so  strongly  to  that  innate 
fondness  for  a  story  which  characterizes  the  general  reader. 

Of  The  Idylls  of  the  King  all  but  one  are  based  upon 
Malory's  Morte  Darthur}  The  material  is  in  some  of  the 
pieces  treated  very  freely:  The  last  Tourtiattient,  for  example, 
is  an  expansion  of  a  few  hints  suggested  by  Malory,  but  in 
many  poems  the  borrowing  extends  to  words  and  phrases, 
transferred  with  a  slight  change  of  order  to  the  new  setting. 
Tennyson  does  indeed  transform  the  spirit  of  some  of 
Malory's  stories  so  that  familiar  acquaintances  appear  new 
and  strange,  but  he  retains  enough  of  his  original  to  indicate 
where  he  went  for  his  inspiration. 

Not  to  be  compared  with  Tennyson's  Idylls  in  simplicity 
and  beauty  and  spiritual  power  is  Bulwer's  King  Arthur 
(1848).  This  has  originality  and  epigrammatic  smartness, 
and  now  and  then  some  poetic  power,  but  it  lacks  almost 
wholly  a  sympathetic  feeling  for  the  old  romances,  and  serves 
mainly  as  a  vehicle  for  the  author's  opinions  on  life  and 
society.  The  author  tells  us  that  he  conceived  it  "  when  he 
was  in  college;  that  is,  between  1822  and  1825,"  but  he  did 

1  The  relation  of  the  Idylls  to  their  sources  is  discussed  in  Littledale's 
Essays  on  Tennysofi's  Idylls  of  the  A'ing,  London,  1893  ;  in  Maccallum's 
Tennyson's  Idylls  of  the  King  and  Arthurian  Story  from  the  XVIth 
Century,  New  York,  1894  ;  and  in  Jones's  Growth  of  the  Idylls  of  the 
King,  Philadelphia,  1895.  The  Idyll  of  Enid  and  Geraint  (now  printed 
as  two  Idylls  by  making  a  separate  poem  of  The  Marriage  of  Geraint) 
is  based  upon  the  Maldnogion,  a  collection  of  ancient  Welsh  tales, 
published  and  translated  by  Lady  Charlotte  Guest,  3  vols.,  London, 
1849. 


xlvi  INTRODUCTION. 

not  carry  his  design  into  execution  till  a  quarter  of  a  century 
later.  He  also  tells  us  in  his  I'reface  to  what  extent  he  used 
Malory:  "  I  have  but  borrowed  the  names.^  .  .  .  Preferring 
to  invent  for  myself  an  entirely  original  story,  I  have  taken 
from  Sir  Thomas  Malory's  compilation  little  more  than  the 
general  adoption  of  chivalrous  usages  and  manners,  and 
those  aerencies  for  the  marvellous  which  the  chivalrous  ro- 
mance  naturally  affords,  the  fairy  genius  and  the  enchanter." 

In  Matthew  Arnold's  Tristram  and  Iseult  (1852)  we  are 
brought  once  more  into  the  realm  of  genuine  poetry  as 
opposed  to  versified  rhetoric.  This  is  the  only  poem  in  which 
Arnold  attempts  an  Arthurian  subject.  He  deals  very  freely 
with  his  material  and  only  occasionally  shows  his  acquaint- 
ance with  Malory  by  an  allusion  pointing  to  the  Morie 
Darthiir?  The  central  motive,  the  death  of  Tristram,  does 
not  appear  in  Malory's  Tristram  fragment  at  all. 

The  one  English  poet  of  the  19th  century  who  might  have 
given  us  a  well-rounded  Arthurian  epic  wrote  only  four  short 
poems  based  on  Arthurian  material.  William  Morris  as  a 
young  man  was  attracted  by  the  Arthurian  story,  and,  if 
Tennyson  had  not  early  occupied  the  field,  might  have  been 
led  to  produce  a  long  Arthurian  poem.  A  less  consummate 
master  of  technique  than  Tennyson,  Morris  had  nevertheless 
an  ease  of  movement  and  a  power  of  conception  hardly 
equalled  by  the  older  poet.  The  Idylls  are  exquisite,  but 
they  lack  the  vigor  and  the  onward  sweep  of  a  great  epic. 
We  could  well  spare  some  of  the  tales  in  The  Earthly  Para- 

1  Wordsworth  did  essentially  the  same  thing  in  his  short  poem  en- 
titled The  Egyptian  Maid;  or  the  Romance  of  the  Water  Lily  {/Sjo),  of 
which  he  himself  says  in  a  prefatory  note,  that  the  names  and  persons 
are  "  borrowed  from  The  History  of  the  Renowned  Prince  Art/nir  and 
his  Kfiights  of  the  Round  Table;  for  the  rest  the  Author  is  responsible." 

2  It  is  even  to  be  feared  that  Dunlop's  Hist,  of  Fiction  was  Arnold's 
primary  authority,  and  that  his  acquaintance  with  Malory,  at  least  in  1852, 
was  at  second  hand.     See  Arnold's  own  note  at  the  end  of  the  poem. 


introduction:  xlvii 

disc  for  an  Arthurian  poem  worthy  to  stand  beside  Sigurd  the 
VolsHug.  In  none  of  his  Arthurian  poems  does  Morris  dis- 
play his  especial  power  as  a  narrator,  but  he  could  assuredly 
have  achieved  as  great  success  in  telling  the  tales  of  the 
Round  Table  as  in  his  versions  of  the  stories  of  ancient 
Greece. 

The  four  short  Arthurian  poems  which  Morris  wrote  are 
contained  in  the  volume  which  he  published  in  1858  under 
the  title  The  Defence  of  Guenevere  and  Other  Poe?ns.  I'he 
other  Arthurian  poems  are  King  Arthur  s  Tomb,  Sir  Gala- 
had, a  Christmas  Mystery,  and  The  Chapel  in  Lyoness.  None 
of  these  holds  closely  to  Malory's  story,  though  each  shows 
at  least  a  trace  of  his  material.  In  The  Defence  of  Guenevere, 
which  some  critics  rank  as  the  choicest  of  Morris's  poems, 
the  general  story  may  have  been  suggested  by  the  Alorte 
Darthur,  though  other  versions  of  the  Launcelot  story  would 
have  answered  the  purpose.  Some  of  the  leading  features 
of  this  poem,  such  as  Guenevere's  monologue  and  the  part 
played  by  Gauwaine,  are  not  found  at  all  in  the  Alorte 
Da?-thur.  There  is  a  suggestion  now  and  then  of  Tennyson's 
early  lyric  manner,  but  there  is  a  current  of  genuine  poetry 
in  these  lines  hardly  surpassed  by  Tennyson  himself. 

King  Arthur^ s  Tomb  describes  the  last  meeting  of  Launce- 
lot and  Guenevere,  but  with  a  very  free  handling  of  the 
theme.  The  poet  may  have  borrowed  a  hint  from  Malory's 
twenty-first  book,  but  apart  from  a  possible  allusion  or  two 
he  made  no  further  use  of  Malory's  material. 

Sir  Galahad  refers  casually  to  Palomydes  and  the  quest- 
ing beast;  ^  to  the  ship,^ 

.  .  .  where 
The  spindles  of  King  Solomon  are  laid 
And  the  sword  that  no  man  draweth  without  sin 
But  if  he  be  most  pure. 

^  Cf.  Morte  Darthur,  p.  35. 
2Cf.  ibid.,  pp.  132,  133. 


xlviii  INTRODUCTION. 

But  the  entire  situation  and  the  language  of  the  soliloquy 
are  unlike  anything  found  in  the  Morte  Darthur, 

The  Chapd  in  Lyoness  has  Sir  Ozana  le  cure  Hardy  as  its 
central  figure,  and  introduces  also  Sir  Bors  and  Sir  Galahad. 
In  the  Morte  Darthur  Sir  Ozana  plays  no  leading  part,  but 
he  is  merely  mentioned  along  with  other  knights. 

Six  years  after  the  appearance  of  Morris's  volume,  that 
strange  mystic  Robert  Stephen  Hawker  published  ^  a  poem 
on  The  Quest  of  the  Sangraal,  Chant  the  First.  This  naturally 
reflects  more  or  less  of  Malory's  version,  but  the  poem  as  a 
whole  is  essentially  a  19th-century  creation  and  presents  a 
conception  far  removed  from  that  of  the  Morte  Darthur. 
Hawker's  poem  preceded  Tennyson's  Holy  Grail  by  six 
years,  and  doubtless  influenced  to  some  extent  the  laureate's 
work.  Yet  Tennyson's  poem,  though  not  altogether  mediae- 
val, is  so  saturated  with  the  spirit  of  the  mediaeval  conception 
that  without  seeming  incongruity  it  borrows  whole  passages 
from  Malory  with  little  or  no  verbal  change. 

The  Arthurian  story  has  attracted  still  another  of  the 
notable  poets  of  our  century.  Swinburne  has  written  two 
poems  based  upon  material  connected  with  the  cycle  of 
Arthurian  romances.  The  first  of  these,  Tristrain  of  Lyo7iesse 
(1882),  is  an  elaborate  retelling  of  the  Tristram  story,  with 
here  and  there  a  touch  that  might  have  been  suggested  by 
Malory,  but  with  a  free  use  of  other  material,  much  of  the 
detail  of  which  is  the  creation  of  the  poet's  imagination. 
Nothing  is  more  characteristic  of  its  author  than  this  some- 
what overripe  production.  Yet  in  this  poem  the  reader,  even 
though  he  may  not  feel  all  of  the  poet's  delight  in  mere  rich- 
ness of  phrase  and  in  the  taste  of  forbidden  fruit,  must 
recognize  a  genuine  work  of  art,  the  most  remarkable  version 
of  the   Tristram    story   that    has   thus  far  been    produced, 

1  Written  in  1863,  printed  (privately)  at  Exeter,  1864.  Only  the  first 
Chant  was  published. 


INTRODUCTION.  xlix 

Tennyson's  Last  Tourna??ient  is  entirely  different  in  temper 
and  purpose,  and  includes  but  a  fragment  of  the  story. 
Arnold's  Tristram  and  Iseidt  confines  itself  to  the  closing 
scenes  of  Tristram's  life,  and  presents  a  conception  unlike 
that  of  Tennyson  or  of  Swinburne. 

Swinburne's  most  recent  work,  The  Tale  of  Balen  (1896), 
follows  closely  the  second  book  of  Le  Alorte  Darthur,  and 
yet  breathes  a  spirit  of  high  poetry.  Swinburne  is  far  truer 
to  his  original  than  Tennyson  is  in  his  Balin  auii £a/an,  and, 
in  the  opinion  of  many  readers,  will  seem  no  less  effectively 
than  the  laureate  to  have  mastered  the  lost  art  of  the  old 
romancers,  the  art  of  telling  a  story  objectively  but  with  the 
closest  sympathy.  In  tender  grace  and  simplicity  nothing 
that  Swinburne  has  written  surpasses  The  Tale  of  £  a/en.  On 
the  other  hand,  nothing  better  demonstrates  the  essentially 
poetic  character  of  Malory's  Morte  Darthiir  than  the  fact 
that  it  can  be  turned  with  little  change  into  the  form  of  noble 
poetry.^ 

As  we  glance  back  through  the  literature  we  have  exam- 
ined we  find  that  nearly  every  side  of  the  Arthurian  story 
has  been  treated,  in  outline  at  least,  by  19th-century  poets. 
We  may  admit  that  much  of  this  poetry  lacks  the  strenuous 
character  of  literature  that  deals  with  living  problems  rather 
than  with  the  half-forgotten  legends  of  a  romantic  age.  Yet 
we  cannot  always  be  working  on  problems.  We  want  at 
times  to  live  in  an  ideal  world,  and  to  be  soothed  rather 
than  stimulated.  And  this,  I  take  it,  is  the  essential  office 
of  the  Arthurian  poetry  of  our  century.     Other  aims  may  be 

^  Nothing  so  important  as  the  pieces  we  have  noticed  has  appeared 
in  recent  years.  Yet  the  most  effective  attempt  to  adapt  to  the  stage 
the  story  of  Arthur  is  J.  Comyns  Carr's  King  Art/nir  (1895).  The 
scenes  are  all  suggested  by  Malory's  Morte  Darthttr.  Sir  Henry 
Irving  and  Miss  Ellen  Terry  have  played  the  parts  of  Arthur  and 
Guinevere. 


1  INTRODUCTION. 

realized  in  some  of  the  poems,  but  the  primary  purpose  of 
the  best  of  them  is  not  didactic. 

How  much  of  this  mass  of  poetry  is  in  one  way  or  another 
due  to  Malory  we  have  already  seen.  So  often,  indeed,  is 
the  original  hint  or  the  actual  source  to  be  found  in  the 
Morte  Darthur  that  we  may  at  least  raise  the  question 
whether  the  actual  preservation  of  the  Arthurian  story  as  a 
living  force  in  modern  English  literature  is  not  largely  due 
to  Malory.  The  Arthurian  ballads  in  Percy's  Reliques  have 
been  almost  destitute  of  literary  influence.  The  vast  Arthu- 
rian literature  of  the  Middle  Ages  was,  till  recently,  buried 
in  unpublished  MSS.,  and  the  recollection  of  it  had  utterly 
perished  from  the  minds  of  the  people.  Popular  traditions 
about  Arthur  have  lingered  with  singular  tenacity  in  remote 
districts,  yet  these  traditions  have  not  had  sufficient  vitality 
or  power  of  attraction  to  bring  the  poets  to  utilize  them  in 
verse.  The  transmission  of  the  Arthurian  story  is  literary 
rather  than  popular.  The  legends  cannot  grow  except  by 
intentional  deviation  from  the  inherited  forms.  And  these 
forms  will  doubtless  continue  to  be  most  familiar  in  the 
shape  which  Malory  gave  them  in  Le  Morte  Darthur. 

VII. 

We  have  seen  that  Le  Morte  Darthur  has  held  a  remark- 
able place  among  the  notable  books  of  the  last  four  hundred 
years.  We  have  yet  to  consider  how  it  is  to  be  ranked  as  a 
piece  of  literature,  and  whether  its  importance  is  more  than 
merely  historical.  Criticisms  of  various  sorts  have  been 
passed  upon  the  book,  some  ignorant  and  captious,  some 
unmeasured  in  enthusiasm.  Those  readers  who  dislike  it 
call  it  a  dry,  inartistic  compilation,  based  upon  ill-chosen 
originals ;  those  who  admire  it  call  it  a  prose  epic,  the  best 
romance  in  the  language,  a  model  of  style,  and  one  of  the 


INTRODUCTION.  H 

treasures  of  English  literature.  Evidently  one  who  bases  an 
opinion  of  the  Morte  Darthur  on  what  is  written  about  it  is 
very  much  at  the  mercy  of  the  critics. 

We  may  clear  the  ground  at  the  outset  by  freely  admitting 
that  Malory's  part  is,  in  the  main,  that  of  a  translator  and 
adapter  of  French  originals,^  which  he  abridged  and  other- 
wise shapeHTonYisTpurpose.  Our  estimate  of  his  originality 
is  made  somewhat  more  difficult  by  the  fact  that  we  do  not 
know  what  MSS.  he  had  before  him,  and  whether  they  were 
mutilated  or  complete.  Sommerhas  made  a  laborious  investi- 
gation of  Malory's  relation  to  his  sources,  and  shown  how 
largely  he  is  dependent  upon  them.  But  even  yet  we  have 
to  face  the  possibility  that  gleanings  in  other  MSS.  still 
undiscovered  would  prove  that  some  details  now  confidently 
claimed  as  Malory's  invention  are  really  due  to  his  original.^ 

As  was  remarked  in  an  earlier  section,  Malory's  task 
looks  to  a  modern  reader  much  easier  than  it  really  was. 
The  enormous  mass  of  the  Arthurian  romances,  doubtless 
greater  in  Malory's  time  than  in  our  own,  made  anything 
like  a  comprehensive  survey  almost  impossible.  All  the 
books  were  in  MS.,  many  of  them  difficult  of  access,  if  not 
inaccessible  ;  they  differed  widely  in  the  versions  they  pre- 
sented, and  were  in  many  cases  incomplete.  A  mere  general 
acquaintance  with  the  Arthurian  cycle  would  have  required 
years  of  time,  and  the  mere  translation  of  as  large  a  book  as 

1  If  we  could  count  Bk.  vii  as  Malory's  own  composition,  his  origi- 
nality would  have  to  be  rated  much  higher  than  it  commonly  is.  No 
source  has  yet  been  found. 

2  This,  as  is  well  known,  is  the  result  of  the  searching  study  of 
Chaucer  within  the  last  twenty-five  years.  This,  too,  was  my  own  expe- 
rience in  studying  the  French  sources  of  the  Middle-English  prose 
romance  of  Merliti.  In  two  cases,  in  particular,  I  had  decided  that  the 
translator  had  inserted  a  considerable  amount  of  matter  of  his  own,  but 
somewhat  later  I  found  in  other  MSS.  the  original  of  the  supposed 
additions. 


lii  INTRODUCTION. 

the  Morte  Darthur,  even  had  there  been  no  attempt  to  give 
it  literary  form,  must  have  involved  an  expenditure  of  long- 
continued  effort.  That  Malory  now  and  then  went  wrong  in 
his  choice  is  not  to  be  wondered  at ;  but  it  is  gratuitous  to 
ass,ume  that  he  deliberately  rejected  a  good  version  for  a 
bad  one,  and  that  he  would  not  have  taken  the  best  if  he 
could  have  got  it.^ 

If  we  are  tempted  to  think  slightly  of  his  work  on  the 
ground  that  it  is  a  mere  translation,  we  must  remember  that 
translation  such  as  Malory's  is  exceedingly  rare.  Any  one 
who  imagines  vigorous,  idiomatic  translation  to  be  easy  has 
evidently  never  attempted  it.  Malory  is  the  peer  of  the 
greatest  of  the  Elizabethan  translators,  and  he  enjoys  the 
distinction  of  being  yet  read.  How  immeasurably  he  sur- 
passes the  modern  scholars  who  now  and  then  attempt  a 
version  of  a  piece  of  Old  French  may  be  seen  by  any  one 
who  will  take  the  trouble  to  make  the  comparison.     Real 

1  A  word  on  the  Tristram  fragment  may  not  be  out  of  place.  Malory 
is  sometimes  blamed  for  not  finishing  his  version  of  the  Tristram. 
The  story  is  developed  through  four  books  (viii,  ix,  x,  xii),  but  it  is  not 
concluded  in  Bk.  xii,  and  yet  is  not  again  taken  up.  There  is  indeed 
an  artistic  incompleteness  in  the  unfinished  work,  but  we  cannot  be  sure 
that  Malory  is  to  blame.  lie  may  not  have  had  a  complete  copy  of  the 
French  Tristati  at  hand ;  he  may  have  worked  at  the  story  as  long  as 
his  original  held  out  and  then  turned  temporarily  to  another  part  of  the 
work  till  he  should  be  able  to  get  the  missing  original.  Caxton,  as  we 
know,  divided  the  Morte  Dartlmr  into  books  and  chapters.  He  may 
have  received  the  whole  complete  from  Malory's  hands,  and  for  some 
reason  have  thrown  out  a  portion  of  the  Tristram  story.  Furthermore, 
we  do  not  know  in  what  chronological  order  Malory  translated  the 
various  parts.  He  may  have  left  the  Tristram  story  till  the  last,  and 
death  may  have  overtaken  him  in  the  midst  of  his  work.  The  entire 
lack  of  biographical  detail  makes  easy  an  endless  range  of  conjecture. 
In  short,  the  same  excuses  that  we  may  make  for  Chaucer  for  failing  to 
complete  the  Canterbury  Tales,  or  for  Spenser  for  failing  to  complete 
the  Faerie  Queene,  or  for  Macaulay  for  failing  to  complete  the  History 
of  England,  may  possibly  be  made  for  Malory. 


INTRODUCTION.  \\\\ 

translation,  that  is,  a  transfer,  not  only  of  sense,  but  of 
spirit,^  is  quite  as  difficult  as  original  composition.  We 
may  count  on  the  fingers  of  one  hand  the  English  translators 
of  prose  before  the  year  1500  who  deserve  to  be  mentioned 
beside  Malory.  We  naturally  think  first  of  Chaucer  and 
Wyclif,  the  pseudo-Mandeville  and  Caxton,  and  of  nameless 
writers  like  the  translator  of  the  prose  Merlin.  Single  pas- 
sages doubtless  occur  in  the  work  of  all  of  these  men 
worthy  to  be  placed  beside  that  of  Malory.  It  is  when 
taken  in  the  mass  that  Malory's  superiority  is  evident. 

But  Malory  was  more  than  a  mere  translator  :  he  realized 
that  there  was  something  to  omit.^  Nearly  all  the  other 
reproducers  of  French  romances  had  slavishly  followed 
every  turn  of  the  original.  This  is  the  method  of  the  prose 
Merlin,  of  Herry  Lonelich's  metrical  Merlin  and  Holy  Grail, 
and  of  scores  of  other  works.  If  the  original  were  Holy 
Scripture  there  could  hardly  be  more  anxiety  to  preserve  the 
ipsissima  verba. 

Omission  is,  in  some  cases,  rather  delicate  work,  too  deli- 
cate even  for  Malory,  '  And  here,  in  the  opinion  of  some 
critics,  he  mangles  his  material  so  badly  as  to  make  the 
original  story  at  times  almost  unintelligible.  Here  and 
there  Malory  did  bungle  somewhat,  if  he  really  tried  to 
reproduce  one  story  and,  in  spite  of  himself,  succeeded  in 
telling  quite  another.  This  charge  may  be  made  to  some 
extent  against  his  treatment  of  the  French  prose  Aferliti. 
Yet  there  is  in  Malory's  condensed  version  a  lightness  and 
rapidity  of  movement  painfully  lacking  in  part  of  the  origi- 
nal, picturesque  and  interesting  though  much  of  that  is. 

^  It  must  not  be  forgotten  that  the  praise  bestowed  upon  the  English 
Bible  as  a  piece  of  unequalled  musical  prose,  is  bestowed  upon  a 
translation. 

^  Sonimer  shows  (iii,  6)  that  Malory's  originals  were  about  ten  times 
as  long  as  his  condensed  version.       ~~ 


liv  INTRODUCTION. 

The  real  question  is  this:  What  ought  Malory  to  have 
clone  with  the  material  at  his  disposal  ?  The  answers  will 
vary  according  to  individual  preference.  The  chief  fault 
found  with  the  Morte  Darthur  as  an  artistic  work  is  that  its 
artistic  purpose  is  too  timid.  It  lacks  complete  unity,  and 
does  not  move  with  a  steady,  undeviating  sweep  from 
beginning  to  end.'  The  episodes  are  too  frequent  and  too 
long,  and,  though  interesting,  they  have  too  little  to  do  with 
the  main  current  of  the  narrative.  It  is  urged  that  Malory 
might  have  joined  the  whole  more  closely.  Instead  of  mak- 
ing abrupt  transitions  from  one  part  to  another,  and  actually 
beginning  some  books  as  though  they  were  entirely  inde- 
pendent, he  might  have  produced  a  great  Arthurian  epic 
conceived  as  a  whole,  with  due  subordination  of  parts  and  a 
central  motive  sufficient  to  carry  the  story  to  a  natural  con- 
clusion. In  other  words,  Malory  ought  to  have  done  either 
more  or  less  than  he  did  :  he  ought  to  have  used  the  French 
versions  as  crude  material  to  be  wrought  into  a  new  artistic 
creation,  or  else  he  ought  to  have  proceeded  more  cautiously 
and  have  reproduced  as  exactly  as  possible  the  original 
stories. 

It  is,  however,  by  no  means  certain  that  the  separate  parts 

1  The  story  of  Balin  and  Balan  (Bk.  ii)  does  not  grow  out  of  the 
book  that  precedes  it.  The  story  of  Tristram  calls  for  a  violent  transi- 
tion, and  it  is  at  best  but  a  fragment.  The  tale  of  Beaumayns  (Bk.  vii) 
is  exceedingly  attractive,  yet  it  might  be  omitted  without  any  one's  sus- 
pecting the  loss.     And  so  on  throughout  the  book. 

Nothing,  indeed,  can  well  be  more  unlike  the  modern  novel  with  its 
carefully  interwoven  plot,  its  well-grounded  motives,  its  subtle  analysis 
of  character,  than  the  Morte  Dart/inr,  with  its  simple  story,  its  artless 
movement  from  one  thing  to  another  without  any  very  sufficient  reason, 
and  its  transparent  characters,  who,  in  any  given  situation,  may  always 
be  expected  to  act  in  a  particular  fashion.  Moreover,  the  story  here 
and  there  drags  a  little.  A  reader  must  have  a  well-developed  appetite 
for  unimportant  detail  who  can  take  in  the  entire  description  of  a 
mediaeval  battle  without  wincing. 


iNTK  on  uc  r/oiv.  Iv 

would  have  been  greatly  improved  by  being  made  over  into 
something  new.  The  episodes  are  exquisite,  and  they  have 
perhaps  as  much  right  to  exist  thus  as  have  the  separate 
poems  in  Chaucer's  Canterbury  Tales  and  The  Legend  of 
Good  IVonien,  or  in  Longfellow's  Ta/es  of  a  Wayside  Inn. 
Doubtless  a  little  more  oiling  of  the  machinery  would  have 
been  possible,  and,  to  modern  notions,  desirable  ;  but  there 
is  at  least  a  question  whether  a  book  constructed  according 
to  19th-century  ideals  would  have  suited  Malory's  time  better 
than  the  one  he  actually  produced. 

If  we  turn  from  the  Morte  Darthiir  to  the  French  orisfi- 
nals  we  see  where  the  real  difficulty  lay.  The  primary 
defect  of  the  French  romances  is  a  loosely  constructed  plot 
—  or  none  at  all — and  an  insufficiency  of  motive.  All  the 
characters  are  somewhat  superficially  conceived,  and  they 
do  such  strange  and  unnecessary  things  that  orderly  progres- 
sion in  the  narrative  is  impossible.  The  unexpected  con- 
stantly happens.  If,  then,  Malory  was  to  follow  his  original 
with  any  fidelity,  he  could  not  avoid  faults  of  construction 
inherent  in  the  French  romances.  In  the  embarrassment 
of  choice  he  decided  to  reduce  to  convenient  proportions 
the  romances  most  suitable  for  his  purpose,  and  to  translate 
his  story  instead  of  attempting  to  create  it.  The  contradic- 
tions in  his  work  are  in  part  those  of  his  originals,  made 
somewhat  more  glaring  here  and  there  from  the  fact  that  he 
attempted  to  combine  into  one  book  material  scattered 
through  several  independent  romances.  The  original  stories 
were  not  made  to  be  fitted  together.  The  surprising  fact  is 
that  they  are  combined  in  the  Morte  Darthur  as  well  as  they 
are. 

If,  then,  the  Morte  Darthur  falls  short  of  the  highest 
artistic  excellence,  in  that  it  lacks  unity,  coherence,  and  pro- 
portion, it  is  nevertheless  written  in  a  style  of  singular 
charm  and  beauty,  not  indeed  free  from,  technical  defects, 


Ivi  INTRODUCTION. 

but  remarkable  for  freshness  and  vigor  and  the  power  of 
engaging  attention.  This  hist  quality  I  have  more  than 
once  tested  by  reading  passages  aloud  to  hearers  who  had 
no  previous  acquaintance  with  early  English  literature,  and 
invariably  finding  that  Malory  won  an  interested  hearing 
where  other  mediceval  writers  were  languidly  received. 

The  technical  defects  in  Malory's  composition,  judged  by 
modern  standards,  are  indeed  obvious  enough.  His  para- 
graphs are  formless  and  are  constructed  on  no  discoverable 
principle, — even  of  length.  Some  of  them  hold  closely  to 
a  single  topic,  but  they  are  as  likely  as  not  to  wander  in 
several  directions  at  once.  Malory  is,  of  course,  in  this 
matter  no  greater  sinner  than  other  early  writers.  Paragraph 
construction  is  a  modern  art,  and  Malory  is  hardly  to  be 
blamed  for  failing  to  do  what  nobody  else  thought  of.  More- 
over, narrative  is  not  so  easy  to  divide  into  paragraphs  as 
■  writing  of  another  sort.  Possibly,  too,  Caxton  or  his  printers 
made  the  divisions,  which  are  surely  as  mechanical  as  if 
they  had  been  made  by  accident. 

Malory's  sentences  are  not  entirely  above  criticism.  Some 
are  as  halting  and  clumsy  and  disjointed  as  though  they  had 
followed  every  turn  of  expression  in  the  original  and  had 
never  been  revised.  Indeed,  the  fact  that  Caxton  divided 
the  work  into  books  and  chapters  and  passed  the  whole 
through  the  press  as  an  editor  makes  it  unlikely  that  Malory 
ever  saw  the  printed  pages.  But  Malory  or  somebody  is 
apparently  unable  to  decide  exactly  when  a  sentence  should 
end.  He  ignores  "  regularity,  uniformity,  precision,  bal- 
ance." He  runs  on  through  half  a  page,  introducing  new 
clauses  with  and  and  bolstering  them  up  with  more  clauses 
beginning  with/tr.'  Modern  punctuation  helps  the  matter 
somewhat,  but  not  altogether. 

1  Yet  we  cannot  hold  Malory  responsible  for  all  his  ands  and/c^rj. 
A  glance  at  his  originals  reveals  car  and  ^^  in  abundance. 


INTRODUCTION.  Ivii 

Syntax,  in  the  sense  of  subordination  of  parts,  is  scarcely 
known  ;  parataxis  is  the  characteristic  form.  Now  and  then 
he  writes  a  sentence  that  is  a  mere  chaos  of  cross-purposes, 
defying  all  analysis.  Like  the  early  writers  in  the  Old 
English  Chronicle  and  the  authors  of  the  Icelandic  sagas, 
he  changes  the  construction  ^  without  warning,  and  turns 
from  indirect  discourse  to  direct  and  back  again  within  the 
limits  of  a  single  sentence.  Like  careless  writers  of  our  own 
time,  he  introduces  dependent  clauses  with  that,  and  before 
he  gets  to  the  end  of  his  sentence  repeats^  the  word  so  as  to 
make  sure  that  the  reader  is  following  him.  He  is  careless 
of  his  arrangement,  of  his  emphasis,  of  his  concords.  His 
pronouns  choose  their  antecedents  by  a  process  of  natural 
selection.^  In  short,  he  is  now  and  then  guilty  of  well-nigh 
all  the  sins  that  the  grammarian  bids  us  shun. 

1  The  abrupt  change  from  indirect  discourse  to  direct  is  too  common 
to  require  illustration.  The  following  are  good  instances  of  Malory's 
broken  constructions :  " '  Sir,'  sayd  the  knyght,  '  hit  befelle  after  the 
passion  of  our  Lord  Jhesu  Crist  xxxij  yere,  that  Joseph  of  Armathye, 
the  gentyl  knyghte  the  whiche  took  doune  oure  Lord  of  the  hooly 
crosse,  att  that  tyme  he  departed  from  Jherusalem  with  a  grete  party 
of  his  kynred  with  hym.'"     99  II. 

"  And  this  Galahad,  the  holy  knyghte,  the  whiche  foughte  with  the 
two  knyghtes,  the  two  knyghtes  sygnefyen  the  two  dedely  synne^ 
whiche  were  holy  in  this  knyghte  Melyas,  and  they  myghte  not  with- 
stande  yow,  for  ye  are  withoute  dedely  synne."     106  23. 

"Soo  with  this  gentylwoman  Sir  Launcelot  was  a  moneth  and  more. 
Yf  ye  wold  aske  how  he  lyved,  he  that  fedde  the  peple  of  Israel  with 
manna  in  deserte,  soo  was  he  fedde."     145  20. 

"  And  at  the  date  of  this  letter  was  wryten  but  two  houres  and  an 
half  afore  my  dethe,  wryten  with  myn  owne  hand,  and  soo  subscrybed 
with  parte  of  my  hertes  blood."     216  12. 

"  And  that  nyght  he  made  a  dole,  and  al  they  that  wold  come  had  as 
moche  flesahe,  fysshe,  wyn,  and  aale,  and  every  man  and  woman  had 
;dj  pens,  come  who  wold."     229  20. 

2  This  sort  of  repetition  is  common  in  the  oldest  English. 

8  The  following  passage  is  a  fair  specimen  of  what  I  mean  :  "  So  on 
anyghte  he  [Launcelot]  wente  to  playe  hym  by  the  water  syde,  for  he 


Iviii  INTRODUCTION. 

In  all  this  Malory  deserves  no  special  reprobation.  He 
shares  the  faults  of  the  writers  of  his  time.  What  makes 
his  work  notable  is  that  notwithstanding  these  defects  his 
style  instantly  impresses  its  charm  upon  the  reader.  Its 
very  carelessness  lends  an  added  grace  and  beauty.  It  has 
an  air  of  perfect  breeding  and  courtly  distinction  and  yet 
the  elastic  ease  of  polished  conversation.  Even  the  sen- 
tences that  abound  in  faults  of  construction  are  as  clear  as 
a  mountain  brook.  The  musical  quality  of  the  phrases, 
^  which  nevertheless  generally  avoid  the  rhythm  of  verse,^  is 
marvellous.  Malory's  style  has  the  simplicity  of  genius; 
it  is  always  perfectly  adapted  to  its  object,  and  so  is  per- 
fectly natural.  It  never  strives  for  effect  ;  it  has  no  forced 
antitheses,  no  mere  smartness  of  phrase,  no  tricks  of  allit- 
eration and  euphuistic  affectation.  In  other  words,  it  is  an 
honest  style,  the  transparent  medium  through  which  we  see 
the  writer's  thought. 

In  nothing  does  Malory's  excellence  so  plainly  appear  as 
in  the  color  and  freshness  of  his  diction.     He  proved  that 


w^s  somewhat  wery  of  the  shyp.  And  thenne  he  lystned  and  herd  an 
hers  come,  and  one  rydynge  upon  hym.  And  whanne  he  cam  nygh  he 
semed  a  knyghte.  And  soo  he  lete  hym  passe,  and  wente  there  as  the 
shyp  was,  and  there  he  alyghte,  and  toke  the  sadel  and  the  brydel  and 
putte  the  hers  from  hym,  and  wente  into  the  ship.  And  thenne  Laun- 
celot  dressid  unto  hym  and  said,  '  Ye  be  welcome.'  And  he  ansuerd 
and  salewed  hym  ageyne,  and  asked  hym, '  What  is  your  name  ? ' "  145  25. 

^  Malory's  choice  of  diction  seems,  however,  to  have  been  half 
unconscious  ;  otherwise  he  would  perhaps  hardly  have  left  such  jingles 
as  the  following : 

"  alle  the  estates  were  longe  or  day  in  the  chirche  for  to  praye."  22  2. 

"  but  at  the  last  Egglame  fledde,  and  els  he  had  ben  dede."     46  5. 

"he  bete  abak  alle  the  knyghtes  withoute.  And  thenne  they  within 
cam  oute  and  chaced  hem  alle  aboute."     122  2. 

"  Soo  upon  a  dayehe  hunted  in  a  woode  of  his  whiche  lasted  unto 
the  see,  and  at  the  laste  he  loste  his  houndes  and  his  knyghtes."    129  20. 

"  Ryghte  soo  the  mayde  made  her  redy."     182  30. 


introduction:  lix 

the  homely  phrase  of  the  street  or  the  camp  or  the  hunting- 
field  might  be  the  most  picturesque  ^  instrument  of  literary 
expression. 

As  might  be  expected  from  the  fact  that  in  his  pages  the 
expression  is  closely  fitted  to  the  thought,  the  proportion  of 
native  English  words  is  unusually  large.^     Yet  Malory  is  no 

1  His  picturesqueness  of  phrase  might  be  illustrated  without  end. 
The  specimens  I  cite  are  not  more  remarkable  than  scores  of  others : 

"  Thenne  they  amended  their  harneys  and  ryghted  theire  sheldes,  and 
tooke  newe  sperys  and  sette  hem  on  theire  thyes,  and  stode  stylle  as 
hit  had  ben  a  plompe  of  wood."     I,  i6. 

"  Thenne  they  hurtled  to  gyders  as  two  wilde  bulles  rosshynge  and 
lasshyng  with  their  sheldes  and  swerdes,  that  somtyme  they  felle  bothe 
over  theyr  noses."     VI,  8. 

"  Whan  Sir  Launcelot  sawe  this,  as  he  hoved  in  a  lytil  leved  woode, 
thenne  he  sayd  unto  .Syre  Lavayn,  '  See,  yonder  is  a  company  of  good 
knyghtes,  and  they  hold  them  to  gyders  as  bores  that  were  chauffed 
with  dogges.'     '  That  is  trouthe,' said  Syre  Lavayne."     172  28. 

"  Thenne  said  Sir  Lyonel,  that  was  ware  and  wyse :  '  My  lord  Syr 
Launcelot,  I  wyll  gyve  this  counceylle,  lete  us  kepe  oure  stronge  walled 
townes  untyl  they  have  hongre  and  zo\A  and  blowe  on  their  nayles,  and 
thenne  lete  us  fresshely  sette  upon  hym  and  shrede  hem  douneas  shepe 
in  afelde.'"     XX,  19. 

"  And  they  departed,  but  there  was  never  so  harde  an  herted  man 
but  he  wold  have  wepte  to  see  the  dolour  that  they  made,  for  there  was 
laementacyon  as  they  had  be  stungen  wyth  sperys,  and  many  tymes  they 
swouned."     232  14. 

2  Marsh  (^Origin  and  History  of  the  Eng.  Ian.,  pp.  483,  488)  com- 
ments upon  the  small  percentage  of  French  words  in  Malory.  In  Bk. 
xxi,  ch.  V,  he  finds  but  four  per  cent.  This  he  admits  to  be  smaller 
than  Malory's  general  average  ;  but  he  adds :  "  It  would  be  difficult  to 
find  any  author  of  later  date  than  the  middle  of  the  14th  century  whose 
vocabulary  is  so  Teutonic  as  his."  In  a  note  (p.  483)  he  remarks: 
"  The  number  of  French  words  in  Caxton's  translations  is  large.  In 
the  second  edition  of  the  Game  of  the  Chesse  —  believed  to  be  the  first 
book  he  printed  in  England —  they  are  nearly  three  times  as  numerous, 
proportionately,  as  in  the  Morte  d'Arthur  printed  by  him,  but  trans- 
lated by  Malorye  ;  and  yet  Malorye  whose  general  diction  is  perhaps 
more  purely  Anglo-Saxon  than  that  of  any  English  writer,  except  the 


Ix  INTRODUCTION. 

purist.  He  borrows  French  words  without  hesitation  when 
he  can  make  his  expression  more  effective.  Hence  he  very 
successfully  avoids  any  appearance  of  bookishness.  He  is 
as  natural  as  if  he  were  talking  to  his  friends.  Nothing 
indicates  the  self-consciousness  of  a  man  who  has  decided  to 
create  a  masterpiece  —  if  he  can.  He  acts  like  a  plain  man 
who  has  a  plain  task,  —  to  reduce  a  set  of  French  romances 
to  portable  form,  and  to  suppress  his  own  personality  as 
much  as  possible. 

Yet  Malory  is  no  mere  machine  through  which  the  French 
romances  pass  in  order  to  become  English.  He  i_s_k£enly 
alive  to  the  beauty  of  the  scenes  he  describes,  and  his  words 
vibrate  with  the  emotion  he  feels.  He  is  perhaps  at  his 
best  in  passages  that  describe  something  high  and  holy. 
When  the  Grail  sweeps  through  Arthur's  hall  amid  cracking" 
and  crying  of  thunder,  and  every  knight  looks  in  dumb  sur- 
prise at  his  fellow,  when  Launcelot  bows  before  the  altar 
where  the  Grail  is  kept  and  feels  his  body  shot  through  with 
fire,  when  the  dead  Launcelot  rests  in  the  solemn  choir  of 
Joyous  Gard  and  the  lament  breaks  from  the  lips  ofTiis 
brother  Ector,  the  expression  rises  to  a  poetic  beauty  not 

Wycliffite  translators,  for  at  least  a  century  before  his  age  —  adopted 
from  his  original  many  words  which  appear  for  the  first  time  in  English 
in  his  pages." 

I  have  analyzed  the  diction  of  several  chapters  with  the  following 
results : 

Bk.  xvi,     ch.  xi,      per  cent  of  French,    9-t-. 
"       "       "    xii,  "  "  10+. 

«       «       »    XV,  "  "  8+. 

"    xvi,  "  "  ■  7  — • 

"    xviii,    "    xix,  "  "  lo-h. 

"       "       "    XX,  "  "  12-I-. 

"       "       "    XXV,         "  "  13-f-. 

All  proper  names  were  excluded  from  the  count.  Each  word  was 
counted  whenever  it  occurred.  All  words  found  in  the  language  before 
1 100  A.D.  were  classed  as  native  words. 


INTR  on  UC  TION.  \ 


XI 


surpassed  in  early  English  prose.  In  pathos  Malory's 
exquisite  tact  never  fails  him.  He  chooses  the  simplest 
words,  and  suppresses  all  rhetoric  and  all  impertinent  reflec- 
tions. His  story  of  Balin  and  Balan,  of  Elaine,  of  the  death 
of  Arthur,  and  of  the  wasting  away  of  Guenever  and  Laun- 
celot  is  told  so  artlessly  that  we  forget  the  writer  and  have 
no  thought  except  for  the  mournful  tale. 

The  charm  of  mediceval  naivete  Malory  shares  with  other 
writers  of  the  pre-Renaissance  period.  What  is  remarkable 
in  his  work  is  an  individuality  that  can  be  felt,  but  hardly 
expressed  in  words.  There  is  a  personal  note  in  the  Morte 
Darthur,  evident  enough  to  the  attentive  reader,  notwith- 
standing the  fact,  that  the  writer  never  obtrudes  his  person- 
ality upon  us.  For  this  very  reason  Malory's  style  is  forever 
lost  to  us.  Our  age  is  steeped  in  a  different  spirit.  We 
think  in  different  forms.  Our  childhood  has  gone,  and  we 
can  never  bring  back  the  childlike  grace  that  belongs  to  a 
departed  age. 

Yet  Malory  shows  no  signs  of  decaying  popularity.  No 
more  enthusiastic  praise  has  been  given  in  any  century  to 
the  Morte  Darthur  than  in  our  own.  The  book  has  out- 
lived a  half-dozen  literary  fashions,  and  bids  fair  to  survive 
as  many  more.  As  marking  the  high- water  level  of  15th- 
century  prose,  as  containing  the  source  of  some  of  the 
recognized  classics  in  our  literature,  as  being  filled  with  the 
life  and  spirit  of  a  deeply  interesting  age,  and  pervaded  with 
the  more  enduring  qualities  of  our  common  humanity,  the 
Morte  Darthur  can  hardly  fail  to  claim  in  years  to  come  its 
circle  of  admiring  readers.  Students  of  literature  will  read 
it  for  its  historic  importance;  the  poets  will  continue  to  find 
in  it  the  themes  of  verse  ;  and  the  general  reader  who  goes 
to  literature  for  rest  and  entertainment  will  not  refuse  to 
the  Morte  Darthur  a  place  among  the  books  of  perennial 
interest.     If  all  this  be  true,  it  must  be  admitted  that  the 


Ixii  INTR  0 1)  I  -C  TION. 

Mortc  Darthur  holds  a  uni(|ue  jjlace.  Exactly  what  is  its 
relative  rank  among  the  great  books  of  English  prose,  we 
need  not  be  greatly  concerned  to  know.  Malory's  Morte 
Darthur  is  assuredly  one  of  the  golden  links  that  unite  our 
age  to  his.  If  its  beauty  is  lost  upon  a  modern  reader,  there 
is  little  use  in  trying  to  force  his  admiration  :  if  its  beauty 
is  felt,  there  is  no  need  of  further  argument. 


Cajton's  IPretace.* 

Thenne  to  precede  forth  in  thys  sayd  book,  whyche 
I  dyrecte  unto  alle  noble  prynces,  lordes  and  ladyes, 
gentylmen  or  gentylwymmen,  that  desyre  to  rede  or  here 
redde  of  the  noble  and  joyous  hystorye  of  the  grete  con- 
querour  and  excellent  kyng,  Kyng  Arthur,  somtyme  kyng  5 
of  thys  noble  royalme,  thenne  callyd  Brytaygne  ;  I 
Wyllyam  Caxton,  symple  person e,  present  thys  book 
folowyng,  whyche  I  have  enprysed  tenprynte  ;  and  treat- 
eth  of  the  noble  actes,  feates  of  armes  of  chyvalrye, 
prowesse,  hardynesse,  humanyte,  love,  curtosye,  and  10 
veray  gentylnesse,  wyth  many  wonderful  hystoryes  and 
adventures.  And  for  to  understonde  bryefiy  the  contente 
of  thys  volume,  I  have  devyded  it  in  to  xxj  bookes,  and 
every  book  chapytred,  as  here  after  shal  by  Goddes  grace 
folowe.  The  fyrst  book  shal  treate  how  Utherpendragon  15 
gate  the  noble  conquerour  kyng  Arthur,  and  conteyneth 
xxviij  chappytres.  The  second  book  treateth  of  Balyn 
the  noble  knyght,  and  conteyneth  xix  chapytres.  The 
thyrd  book  treateth  of  the  maryage  of  kyng  Arthur  to 
quene  Guenever,  wyth  other  maters,  and  conteyneth  20 
fyftene  chappytres.  The  fourth  book,  how  Merlyn  was 
assotted,  and  of  warre  maad  to  kyng  Arthur,  and  con- 
teyneth xxix  chappytres.  The  fyfthe  book  treateth  of 
the  conqueste  of  Lucius  themperour,  and  conteyneth  xij 
chappytres.  The  syxthe  book  tre'ateth  of  Syr  Launcelot  25 
and  Syr  Lyonel,  and  mervayllous  adventures,  and  con- 
teyneth xviij  chapytres.  The  seventh  book  treateth  of  a 
noble  knyght  called  Syr  Gareth,  and  named  by  Syr  Kaye 

1  The  conchiding  paragraph. 


2  CAXTOX'S   PREFACE. 

Beaumayns,  and  conteyneth  xxxvj  chapytres.  The  eyght 
book  treateth  of  the  byrthe  of  Syr  Trystram  the  noble 
knyght,  and  of  hys  actes,  and  conteyneth  xlj  chapytres. 
The  ix  book  treateth  of  a  knyght  named  by  Syr  Kaye  le 
5  Cote  male  taylle,  and  also  of  Syr  Trystram,  and  conteyn- 
eth xliiij  chapytres.  The  x  book  treateth  of  Syr  Trystram, 
and  other  mervayllous  adventures,  and  conteyneth  Ixxxviij 
chappytres.  The  xj  book  treateth  of  Syr  Launcelot  and 
Syr  Galahad,  and  conteyneth  xiiij  chappytres.     The  xij 

10  book  treateth  of  Syr  Launcelot  and  his  madnesse,  and 
conteyneth  xiiij  chappytres.  The  xiij  book  treateth  how 
Galahad  came  fyrst  to  kyng  Arthurs  courte,  and  the  quest 
how  the  Sangreall  was  begonne,  and  conteyneth  xx 
chapytres.     The  xiiij  boook  treateth  of  the  queste  of  the 

15  Sangreal,  and  conteyneth  x  chapytres.  The  xv  book 
treateth  of  Syr  Launcelot,  and  conteyneth  vj  chapytres. 
The  xvj  book  treateth  of  Syr  Bors  and  Syr  Lyonel  his 
brother,  and  conteyneth  xvij  chapytres.  The  xvij  book 
treateth  of  the  Sangreal,  and  conteyneth  xxiij  chapytres. 

20  The  xviij  book  treateth  of  Syr  Launcelot  and  the  quene, 
and  conteyneth  xxv  chapytres.  The  xix  book  treateth  of 
quene  Guenever  and  Launcelot,  and  conteyneth  xiij 
chapytres.  The  xx  book  treateth  of  the  pyetous  deth  of 
Arthur,  and  conteyneth  xxij   chapytres.      The  xxj  book 

25  treateth  of  his  last  departyng,  and  how  Syr  Launcelot 
came  to  revenge  his  dethe,  and  conteyneth  xiij  chapytres. 
The  somme  is  xxj  bookes,  whyche  conteyne  the  somme 
of  V  hondred  and  vij  chapytres,  as  more  playnly  shal 
folowe  herafter. 


Zbc  table  or  rubr^ssbe  of  tbe  contente  of 
cbapptres  sbortl^^  of  tbe  f^rst  bool?  of 
fe^uG  Brtbur. 

FvRST  how  Utherpendragon  sente  for  the  duke  of 
Cornewayl  and  Igrayne  his  wyf,  and  of  their  departyng 
sodeynly  ageyn.     Ca.  primo.  [p.  15]. 

How  Utherpendragon  made  warre  on  the  duke  of  Corne- 
wayl, and  how  by  the  moyane  of  Merlyn  he  laye  by  the    5 
duchesse  and  gate  Arthur.     Capitulo  ij. 

Of  the  byrthe  of  kyng  Arthur,  and  of  his  nouryture,  and 
of  the  deth  of  kyng  Utherpendragon,  and  how  Arthur 
was    chosen    kyng,  and    of   wondres    and  mervaylles  of 
a    swerde    taken    out    of    a    stone    by  the  sayd   Arthur.  10 
Capitulo  iij,  iiij,  and  v. 

How  kyng  Arthur  pulled  oute  the  swerde  dyvers  tymes.  vj. 
How  kyng  Arthur  was  crowned,  and  how  he  made 
offycers.  vij. 

How  kyng  Arthur  helde  in  Wales  at  a  Pentecost  a  grete  1 5 
feest,  and  what  kynges  and  lordes  came  to  his  feste.     viij. 
Of  the  fyrst  warre  that  kyng  Arthur  had,  and  how  he 
wanne  the  felde.     Capitulo  ix. 

How'  Merlyn  counceylled  kyng  Arthur  to  sende  for  kyng 
Ban  and  kyng  Bors,   and  of   theyr  counceyl    taken   for  20 
the  warre.  x. 

Of  a  grete  tornoye  made  by  kynge  Arthur  and  the  ij 
kynges  Ban  and  Bors,  and  how  they  wente  over  the  see. 
Capitulo  xj. 

How    xj    kynges    gadred    a    grete    boost    ayenst    kyng  25 
Arthur.  xij. 

1  Chapters  X  to  XVI  inclusive,  and  part  of  Chapter  XVII,  are 
omitted  from  the  selections. 


4  CAxroA's  TAB  lb:  of 

Of  a  dreme  of  the  kyni;  wyth  the  hondred  knyghtes.  xiij. 
How  llie  xj  kyiii^es  wyth  theyr  huost  fouglit  ayenst 
Arthur  and  liis  huost,  and  many  grete  feates  of  the 
wane.      Capitulo  xiiij. 

5  Yet  of  the  same  batayll.      Capitulo  xv. 

Yet  more  of  the  said  batayl,  and  how  it  was  ended  by 
Merlyn.  xvij. 

How  kyng  Arthur,  kyng  Ban,  and  kyng  Bors  rescowed 
kyng  Leodegraunce,  and  other  incydentes.  xviij. 

lo  How  kyng  Arthur  rode  to  Garlyon,  and  of  his  dreme,  and 
how  he  sawe  the  questyng  beest.     Capitulo  xix. 

How  kyng  Pellynore  took  Arthurs  hors  and  folowed  the 
questyng  beest,  and  how  Merlyn  mette  wyth  Arthur,  xx. 
How  Ulfyus  apeched  queue  Igrayne,  Arthurs  moder,  of 

15  treason,  and  how  a  knyght  came  and  desyred  to  have  the 
deth  of  hys  mayster  revengyd.     Capitulo  xxj. 

How  Gryflet  was  made  knyght  and  justed  with  a 
kny<^/;t.  xxij. 

How  xij  knyghtes  came  from  Rome  and  axed  truage  for 

20  thys  londe  of  Arthur,  and  how  Arthur  faught  wyth  a 
knyght.  xxiij. 

How  Merlyn  saved  Arthurs  lyf,  and  threwe  an  enchaunte- 
ment  upon  kyng  Pellynore,  and  made  hym  to  slepe.  xxiiij. 
How  Arthur  by  the  meane  of  Merlyn  gate  Excalybur  hys 

25  swerde  of  the  Lady  of  the  Lake.     Capitulo  xxv. 

How  tydynges  cam  to  Arthur  that  kyng  Ryons  had  over- 
come xj  kynges,  and  how  he  desyred  Arthurs  berde  to 
purfyl  his  mantel.     Capitulo  xxvij. 

How  al  the  chyldren  were  sente  fore  that  were  borne  on 

30  May  Day,  and  how  Mordred  was  saved.  xxviij. 


CONTENTS. 


XTbe  sccon&  \iQQi^, 

Of  a  damoysel  whyche  came  gyrde  wyth  a  swerde,  for 
to  fynde  a  man  of  suche  vertue  to  drawe  it  oute  of  the 
scabard.     Ca.  primo. 

How    Balen,    arayed    lyke    a   poure   knyght,   pulled   out 
the    swerde,  whyche    afterward  was    cause  of  his   deth.     5 
Capitulo  ij. 

How  the  Lady  of  the  Lake  demaunded  the  kny^//tes  heed 
that  had  wonne  the  swerde,  or  the  maydens  hede.  iij. 
How  Merlyn  tolde  thadventure  of  this  damoysel. 
Capitulo  iiij.  10 

How  Balyn  was  pursyewed  by  Syr  Launceor,  knyght  of 
Irelonde,  and  how  he  justed  and  slewe  hym.  v. 

How  a  damoysel,  whiche  was  love  to  Launceor,  slewe 
hyr  self  for  love,  and  how  Balyn  mette  wyth  his  brother 
Balan.  vj.  15 

How  a  dwarfe  reprevyd  Balyn  for  the  deth  of  Launceor, 
and  how  kyng  Marke  of  Cornewayl  founde  them,  and 
maad  a  tombe  over  them.     Capitulo  vij. 

How  Merlyn  prophecyed  that  two  the  best  knyghtes  of 
the  world  shold  fyght  there,  whyche  were  Syr  Launcelot  20 
and  Syr  Trystram.     Capitulo  viij. 

How  Balyn  and  his  broder,  by  the  counceyl  of  Merlyn, 
toke  kyng  Ryons  and  brought  hym  to  kyng  Arthur.  ix. 
How  kyng  Arthur  had  a  bataylle  ayenst  Nero  and  kyng 
Loth  of  Orkeney,  and  how  kyng  Loth  was  deceyved  by  25 
Merlyn,  and  how  xij  kynges  were  slayne.  Capitulo  x. 
Of  the  entyerement  of  xij  kynges,  and  of  the  prophecye 
of  Merlyn  how  Balyn  shold  gyve  the  dolorous  stroke,  xj. 
How  a  sorouful  kny^//t  cam  tofore  Arthur,  and  how 
lialyn  fet  hym,  and  how  that  knyght  was  slayn  by  a  30 
knyght  invysyble.  -  xij. 


6  CAXTON'S    TABLE   OF 

How  Balyn  and  the  damoysel  mette  wyth  a  knyght 
whych  was  in  lyke  wyse  slayn,  and  how  the  damoysel 
bledde  for  the  custom  of  a  castel.     Capitulo  xiij. 

Ho[w]  Balyn  mette  wyth  that  knyght  named  Garlon  at  a 
5  feest,  and  there  he  slewe  hym  to  have  his  blood  to  hele 
therwith  the  sone  of  his  hoost.     Capitulo  xiiij. 

How  Balyn  fought  wyth  kyng  Pelham,  and  how  his  swerde 
brake,  and  how  he  gate  a  spere  wherewyth  he  smote  the 
dolorous  stroke.     Capitulo  xv. 

10  How  Balyn  was  delyverd  by  Merlyn,  and  savyd  a  knyght 
that  wold  have  slayn  hym  self  for  love.  Capitulo  xvj. 
How  that  knyght  slewe  his  love  and  a  knyght  lyeng  by 
hyr,  and  after  how  he  slewe  hym  self  wyth  his  owne 
swerde,  and  how  Balyn  rode  toward  a  castel  where  he 

15  lost  his  lyf.     Capitulo  xvij. 

How  Balyn  mette  wyth  his  brother  Balen,  and  how  eche 
of  theym  slewe  other  unknowen,  tyl  they  were  wounded 
to  deth.  xviij. 

How   Merlyn  buryed  hem  bothe  in  one  towbe,  and  of 

20  Balyns  swerd.     Capitulo  xix. 

1bcre  folowen  tbe  cbapptres  of  tbe  jiij  t»ooft. 

How  at  the  Vygyle  of  the  feste  of  Pentecoste  entred  in 
to  the  halle  before  kyng  Arthur  a  damoysel,  and  desyred 
Syr  Launcelot  for  to  come  and  dubbe  a  knyght,  and  how 
he  wente  wyth  hyr.     Capitulo  primo. 

25  How  the  letters  were  founde  wryton  in  the  Syege 
Peryllous,  and  of  the  mervayllous  adventure  of  the 
swerde  in  a  stone.  ij- 

How  Syr  Gawayn  assayed  to  drawe  oute  the  swerde,  and 
how  an  olde  man  brought  in  Galahad.     Capitulo  iij. 

30  How  the  olde  man  broght  Galahad  to  the  Syege  Peryl- 
lous, and  sette  hym  therin,  and  how  al  the  knyghtes 
mervaylled.  iiij- 


CONTENTS.  7 

How  kyng  Arthur  shewed  the  stone  hovyng  on  the  water 
to  Galahad,  and  how  he  drewe  oute  the  swerde.  v. 

How  kyng  Arthur  had  al  the  knyghtes  to  gyder  for  to 
juste  in  the  medowe  besyde  Wynchester  or  they 
departed.  vj.    5 

How  the  quene  desyred  to  see  Galahad ;  and  after  al 
the  knyghtes  v/ere  replenysshed  wyth  the  holy  Sangreal, 
and  how  all  they  avowed  the  enqueste  of  the  same. 
Capitulo  vij. 

How  grete   sorowe  was  made   of  the   kyng  and  ladyes  10 
for    the    departyng    of    the    knyghtes,    and    how    they 
departed.  viij. 

How  Galahad  gate  hym  a  shelde,  and  how  they  spedde 
that  presumed  to  take  doun  the  sayd  shelde.     Capitulo  ix. 
How    Galahad    departed    with    the    shelde,    and    how  15 
kyng  Enelake^  had   receyved  thys   shelde  of  Joseph  of 
Armathye.  x. 

How  Joseph  made  a  crosse  on  the  whyte  shelde  with 
his  blode,  and  how  Galahad  was  by  a  monke  brought 
to  a  tombe.  xj.  20 

Of  the  mervayle  that  Syr  Galahad  sawe  and  herde  in  the 
tombe,  and  how  he  made  Melyas  knyght.  Capitulo  xij. 
Of  thadventure  that  Melyas  had,  and  how  Galahad 
revenged  hym,  and  how  Melyas  was  caryed  in  to  an 
abbey.  xiij.  25 

How  Galahad  departed,  and  how  he  was  commaunded 
to  goo  to  the  Castel  of  Maydens  to  destroye  the 
wycked  custome.  xiiij. 

How  Syr  Galahad  faught  wyth  the  knyghtes  of  the  castel, 
and  destroyed  the  wycked  custome.     Capitulo  xv.  30 

How  Syr  Gawayn  came  to  thabbey  for  to  folowe  Galahad, 
and  how  he  was  shryven  to  an  heremyte.  Capitulo  xvj. 
How  Syr  Galahad  mette  with   Syr  Launcelot   and   with 

1  Read  Evelake. 


8  CAXTON'S    TABLE    OF 

Syr  Percy  vale,  and  smote  hem  doun,  and  departed 
fro  them.  xvij. 

How   Syr   Launcelot,  halfe    slepyng  and  halfe  wakyng, 
sawe  a  seek  man  borne  in  a  lytter,  and  how  he  was  heled 
5  by  the  Sangreal.     Capitulo  xviij. 

How  a  voys  spake  to  Syr  Launcelot,  and  how  he 
fonde  his  hors  and  his  helme  borne  awaye,  and  after 
wente  a  fote.  xix. 

How  Syr  Launcelot  was   shryven,  and  what  sorowe  he 
lo  made,   and    of   good    ensaumples  whyche   were    shewed 
to  hym.      Ca.  xx. 

Ibere  tolowcn  tbc  cbapinres  of  tbe  jvii  \iQ(>^, 

How  Syr  Galahad  faught  at  a  turnement,  and  how  he 

was  knowen  of  Syr  Gawayn  and  of  Syr  Ector  de  Marris. 

Capitulo  j. 

15  How  Syr  Galahad  rode  with  a  damoysel,  and  came  to 

the  shyp  where  as  Syr  Boors  and  Syr  Percyvale  were  in. 

Capitulo  ij. 

How    Syr    Galahad    entryd    in    to    the    shyp,    and   of    a 

fayr  bedde  therin,  wyth  other  mervayllous  thynges, 
20  and  of  a  swerde.  iij. 

Of  the  mervaylles  of  the  swerde  and  of  the  scaubard.  iiij. 

How    kyng    Pelles    was    smyton     thorugh     bothe     thyes 

by  cause  he  drewe  the  swerde,   and  other  mervayllous 

hystoryes.  v. 

25  How  Salomon  toke  Davyds  swerde  by  the  counceyl  of 

hys  wyf,  and  of  other  maters  mervayllous.     Capitulo     vj. 

A  wonderful  tale  of  kyng  Salamon  and  his  wyf.  vij. 

How  Galahad  and  hys  felowes  came  to  a  castel,  and  how 

they  were  foughten  wyth  al,  and  how  they  slewe  theyr 
30  adversaryes,  and  other  maters.      Capitulo  viij. 

How  the  iij  knyghtes  wyth  Percyvales  syster  came  in  to 


CONTENTS.  9 

the  waste  forest,  and  of  an  herte  and  iiij  lyons,  and 
other  thynges.  ix. 

How  they  were  desyred  of  a  strau;/ge  custom,  which 
they  wolde  not  obeye,  wherfore  they  faught  and  slewe 
many  knyghtes.  x.     5 

How  Percyvales  syster  bledde  a  dysshe  ful  of  blood  for  to 
hele  a  lady,  wherfore  she  dyed  ;  and  how  that  the  body 
was  put  in  a  shyppe.     Capitulo  xj. 

How  Galahad  and  Percyvale  fonde  in  a  castel  many  tombes 
of  maydens  that  had  bledde  to  dethe.     Capitulo  xij.  10 

How  Syr  Launcelot  entred  in  to  the  shyppe  where  Syr 
Percyvales  syster  laye  deed,  and  how  he  mette  wyth  Syr 
Galahad  hys  sone.     Capitulo  xiij. 

How  a  knyght  brought  to  Syr  Galahad  an  hors,  and  bad 
hym  come  from  his  fader  Syr  Launcelot.     Capitulo     xiiij.  15 
How  Launcelot  was  tofore  the  dore  of  the  chambre  wherin 
the  holy  Sangreal  was.     Capitulo  xv. 

How  Syr  Launcelot  had  layen  xiiij  dayes  and  as  many 
nyghtes  as  a  dede  man,  and  other  dyvers  maters. 
Capitulo  xvj.  20 

How  Syr  Launcelot  retorned  toward  Logres,  and  of  other 
adventures  whyche  he  sawe  in  the  waye.  Capitulo  xvij. 
How  Galahad  came  to  Kyng  Mordrayns,  and  of  other 
maters  and  adventures.      Capitulo  xviij. 

How    Syr    Percyvale    and    Syr    Boors    mette    wyth    Syr  25 
Galahad,  and  how  they  came  to  the  castel  of  Carbonek, 
and  other  maters.  xix. 

How  Galahad  and  his  felowes  were  fedde  of  the  holy 
Sangreal,  and  how  our  Lord  apperyd  to  them,  and  other 
thynges.  xx.  30 

How  Galahad  enoynted  wyth  the  blood  of  the  spere  the 
maymed  kyng,  and  of  other  adventures.  Capitulo  xxj. 
How  they  were  fedde  wyth  the  Sangreal  whylc  they  were  in 
pryson,  and  how  Galahad  was  made  kyng.     Capitulo     xxij. 


10  CAXTOA'S    TABLE    OF 

Of  the  sorowe  that  Percyvale  and  Boors  made  whan 
Galahad  was  dede,  and  of  Percyvale  how  he  dyed,  and 
other  maters.  xxiii. 

Iberc  folowen  tbe   cbap^tres  of  tbe  jviij 

bool?/ 

Of   the   joye    of   kyng   Arthur   and    the    quene   had   of 
5  thachyevement  of  the  Sangreal,  and  how  Launcelot  fyl  to 
hys  olde  love  ageyn.     Capitulo  primo. 

How  the  quene  comaunded  Syr  Launcelot  to  avoyde  the 
court,  and  of  the  sorowe  that  Launcelot  made.  Capitulo  ij. 
How  at  a  dyner  that  the  quene  made  there  was  a  knyght 

10  enpoysoned,  whyche  Syr  Mador  layed  on  the  quene.  iij. 
How  Syr  Mador  appeched  the  quene  of  treason,  and  there 
was  no  knyght  wold  fyght  for  hyr  at  the  fyrst  tyme.  iiij. 
How  the  quene  requyred  Syr  Boors  to  fyght  for  hyr,  and 
how  he  graunted  upon  condycyon,  and  how  he  warned 

15  Syr  Launcelot  therof.      Capitulo  v. 

How  at  the  day  Syr  Boors  made  hym  redy  for  to  fyght 
for  the  quene,  and  whan  he  shold  iyght  how  another 
dyscharged  hym.  vj. 

How  Syr  Launcelot  fought  ayenst   Syr   Mador  for  the 

20  quene,  and  how  he  overcame  Syr  Mador  and  dyscharged 
the  quene.  vij. 

How  the  trouthe  was  knowen  by  the  Mayden  of  the  Lake, 
and  of  dyvers  other  maters.     Capitulo  viij. 

How   Syr   Launcelot   rode   to   Astolat,   and    receyved   a 

25  sieve  to  here  upon  his  helme  at  the  requeste  of  a  mayde. 
Capitulo  ix. 

How  the  tornoye  began  at  Wynchester,  and  what  knyghtes 
were  at  the  justes,  and  other  thynges.     Capitulo  x. 

How    Sir     Launcelot    and    Syr    Lavayn    entred    in    the 

^  The  first  seven  Chapters  and  part  of  Chapter  VIII  are  omitted 
from  the  selections. 


CONTENTS.  11 

felde  ayenst  them  of  kyng  Arthurs  court,  and  how 
Launcelot  was  hurte.  xj. 

How  Syr  Launcelot  and  Syr  Lavayn  departed  oute  of  the 
felde,  and  in  what  jeopardye  Launcelot  was.    Capitulo  xij. 
How  Launcelot  was  brought  to  an  hermyte  for  to  be  helyd    5 
of  his  wounde,  and  of  other  maters.     Capitulo  xiij. 

How  Syr  Gawayn  was  lodged  wyth  the  lord  of  Astolat, 
and  there  had  knowlege  that  hit  was  Syr  Launcelot  that 
bare  the  rede  slev^e.     Capitulo  xiiij. 

Of   the    sorowe    that    Syr    Boors    had   for  the   hurte  of  lo 
Launcelot,  and  of  the  angre  that  the  quene  had  by  cause 
Launcelot  bare  the  sieve.     Capitulo  xv. 

How  Syr  Boors  sought  Launcelot  and  fonde  hym  in 
the  hermytage,  and  of  the  lamentacion  bytwene  them. 
Capitulo  xvj.  15 

How  Syr  Launcelot  armed  hym  to  assaye  yf  he  myght 
bere  armes,  and  how  his  wounds  brest  oute  ageyn. 
Capitulo  xvij. 

How    Syr    Boors    retorned    and   tolde    tydynges  of    Syr 
Launcelot,  and  of  the  tournoye,  and  to  whome  the  prys  20 
was  gyven.  xviij. 

Of  the  grete  lamentacyn  of  the  fayr  made  of  Astolat 
whan  Launcelot  shold  departe,  and  how  she  dyed  for 
his  love.  xix. 

How  the  corps  of  the  mayde  of  Astolat  arryved  tofore  25 
kyng  Arthur,  and  of  the  buryeng,  and  how  Syr  Launcelot 
offryd  the  masse  peny.     Capitulo  xx. 

Of  grete  justes  doon  alle  a  Crystemasse  and  of  a  grete 
justes  and  tournoye  ordeyned  by  kyng  Arthur,  and  of  Syr 
Launcelot.     Capitulo  xxj.  30 

How  Launcelot  after  that  he  was  hurt  of  a  gentylwoman 
came  to  an  hermyte,  and  of  other  maters.  Capitulo  xxij. 
How  Syr  Launcelot  byhaved  hym  at  the  justes,  and  other 
men  also.     Capitulo  -  xxiij. 


12  CAXTON'S    TABLE   OF 

How  kyng  Arthur  mervaylled  moche  of  the  justyng 
in  the  felde,  and  how  he  rode  and  fonde  Syr  Launcelot. 
Capitulo  xxiiij. 

How  trewe  love  is  lykened  to  sommer.    Capitulo        xxv. 

IfDcvc  tolowcn  tbe  cbap\?tres  of  tbe  xi\  \)<:iQ^, 

5  How  Syr  Mordred  presumed  and  toke  on  hym  to  be 
kyng  of  Englond,  and  wold  have  maryed  the  quene,  his 
faders  wyf.     Ca.  j. 

How  after  that  kyng  Arthur  had  tydynges  he  retorned  and 
came  to  Dover,  where  Syr  Mordred  mette  hym  to  lette  his 

lo  landyng,  and  of  the  deth  of  Syr  Gawayn.  Capitulo  ij. 
How  after  Syr  Gawayns  ghoost  apperyd  to  kynge 
Arthur,  and  warned  hym  that  he  shold  not  fyght  that 
day.     Capitulo  iij. 

How  by  mysadventure  of  an  adder  the  batayl  began,  where 

15  Mordred  was  slayn,  and  Arthur  hurte  to  the  deth.  iiij. 
How  kyng  Arthur  comanded  to  caste  his  swerd 
Excalybur  in  to  the  water,  and.  how  he  was  delyverd 
to   ladyes  in  a  barge.  v. 

How    Syr    Bedwere    fonde   hym  on  the  morne  deed  in 

20  an  hermytage,  and  how  he  abode  there  wyth  the 
hermyte.      Capitulo  vj. 

Of  thoppynyon  of  somme  men  of  the  deth  of  kynge 
Arthur,  and  how  quene  Guenever  made  hir  a  nonne 
in  Almesburye.  vij. 

25  How  whan  Syr  Launcelot  herde  of  the  deth  of  kyng 
Arthur  and  of  Syr  Gawayn,  and  other  maters,  came  in 
to  Englond.  viij. 

How  Syr  Launcelot  departed  to  seche  the  quene  Guenever, 
and  how  he  fonde  hir  at  Almesburye.     Capitulo  ix. 

30  How  vSyr  Launcelot  came  to  thermytage  where  tharche- 
bysshop  of  Caunterburye  was,  and  how  he  toke  thabyte 
on  hym.  x, 


CONTENTS.  13 

How  Syr  Launcelot  wente  wyth  his  seven  felowes  to 
Amesburye,  and  fonde  there  quene  Guenever  deed,  whom 
they  brought  to  Glastynburye.     Capitulo  xj. 

How  Syr  Launcelot  began  to  sekene,  and  after  dyed, 
whos  body  was  borne  to  Joyous  Garde  for  to  be  buryed. 
Capitulo  xij. 

How  Syr  Ector  fonde  Syr  Launcelot  hys  brother  dede, 
and  how  Constantyn  reygned  next  after  Arthur,  and  of 
the  ende  of  thys  book.      Capitulo  xiij. 

Brplicit  tbe  table. 


THE   NOBLE   AND  JOYOUS  BOOK  ENTYTLED 

LE  MORTE  D ARTHUR 

NOTWYTHSTONDYNG  IT  TREATETH  OF 
THE  BYRTH  /  LYF I  AND  ACTES  OF  THE  SA  YD 
KYNG  ARTHUR  /  OF  HIS  NOBLE  KNYGHTES  OF 
THE  ROUNDE  TABLE  /  THEYR  MERUAYLLOUS 
ENQUESTES  AND  ADUENTURES /  THACHYEUYNG 
OF  THE  SANGREAL  /  6-  IN  THENDE  THE 
DOLOROUS  DETH  <Sr-  DEPARTYNG  OUT  OF  THYS 
WORLD  OF  THEM  AL  /  WHICHE  BOOK  WAS 
REDUCED      IN      TO      ENGLYSSHE      BY 

SYR    THOMAS  MALORY  KNYGHT 


Capitulum  primum. 

Hit  befel  in  the  dayes  of  Uther-pendragon,  when  he 
was  kynge  of  all  Englond,  and  so  regned,  that  there  was 
a  my^//ty  duke  in  Cornewaill  that  helde  warre  ageynst 
hym  long  tyme,  and  the  duke  was  called  the  duke  of 
Tyntagil.  And  so  by  meanes  kynge  Uther  send  for  this  $ 
duk,  chargyng  hym  to  brynge  his  wyf  with  hym,  for  she 
was  called  a  fair  lady,  and  a  passynge  wyse,  and  her 
name  was  called  Igrayne.  So  whan  the  duke  and  his 
wyf  were  comyn  unto  the  kynge,  by  the  meanes  of  grete 
lordes  they  were  accorded  bothe.  The  kynge  lyked  and  lo 
loved  this  lady  wel,  and  he  made  them  grete  chere  out  of 
mesure,  and  desyred  to  have  lyen  by  her.  But  she  was  a 
passyng  good  woman,  and  wold  not  assente  unto  the 
kynge.  And  thenne  she  told  the  duke  her  husband  and 
said,  "  I  suppose  that  we  were  sente  for  that  I  shold  be  15 
dishonoured.  Wherfor,  husband,  I  counceille  yow  that 
we  departe  from  hens  sodenly  that  we  maye  ryde  all 
nyghte  unto  oure  owne  castell."  And  in  lyke  wyse  as 
she  saide  so  they  departed,  that  neyther  the  kynge  nor 
none  of  his  counceill  were  ware  of  their  departyng.  Also  20 
soone  as  kyng  Uther  knewe  of  theire  departyng  soo 
sodenly,  he  was  wonderly  wrothe.  Thenne  he  called  to 
hym  his  pryvy  counceille,  and  told  them  of  the  sodeyne 
departyng  of  the  duke  and  his  wyf.  Thenne  they  avysed 
the  kynge  to  send  for  the  duke  and  his  wyf  by  a  grete  25 
charge :  "  And  yf  he  wille  not  come  at  your  somo;/s, 
thenne  may  ye  do  your  best ;  thenne  have  ye  cause  to 
make  myghty  werre  upon  hym."  Soo  that  was  done,  and 
the    messagers    hadde    their    ansuers.      And   that   was 


16  LE  MORTE  D ARTHUR.  [Book  1. 

thys,  shortly,  that    neyther    he    nor   his    wyf    wold    not 
come  at  hym. 

Thenne  was  the  kyng  wonderly  wroth.  And  thenne 
the  kyng  sente  hym  playne  word  ageyne,  and  badde  hym 
5  be  redy  and  stuffe  hym  and  garnysshe  hym,  for  within  xl 
dayes  he  wold  fetche  hym  oute  of  the  byggest  castell  that 
he  hath.  Whanne  the  duke  hadde  thys  warnynge,  anone 
he  wente  and  furnysshed  and  garnysshed  two  stronge 
castels  of  his,  of  the  whiche  the  one  hyght  Tyntagil  and 

10  the  other  castel  hy^//t  Terrabyl.  So  his  wyf  dame  Igrayne 
he  putte  in  the  castell  of  Tyntagil.  And  hym  self  he 
putte  in  the  castel  of  Terrabyl,  the  whiche  had  many 
yssues  and  posternes  oute.  Thenne  in  alle  haste  came 
Uther  with  a  grete  boost,  and  leyd  a  syege  aboute  the 

15  castel  of  Terrabil.  And  ther  he  pyght  many  pavelyons, 
and  there  was  grete  warre  made  on  bothe  partyes,  and 
moche  peple  slayne.  Thenne  for  pure  angre  and  for 
grete  love  of  fayr  Irayne  the  kyng  Uther  felle  seke.  So 
came  to  the  kynge  Uther  Syre  Ulfius,  a  noble  knyght,  and 

20  asked  the  kynge  why  he  was  seke.  "  I  shall  telle  the," 
said  the  kynge.  "  I  am  seke  for  angre  and  for  love  of 
fayre  Igrayne,  that  I  may  not  be  hool."  "Wei,  my  lord," 
said  Syre  Ulfius,  "  I  shal  seke  Merlyn,  and  he  shalle  do 
yow  remedy  that  youre  herte  shalbe  pleasyd."     So  Ulfius 

25  departed,  and  by  adventure  he  mette  Merlyn  in  a  beggars 
aray,  and  ther  Merlyn  asked  Ulfius  whome  he  soughte; 
and  he  said  he  had  lytyl  ado  to  telle  hym.  "Well,"  saide 
Merlyn,  "  I  knowe  whome  thou  sekest,  for  thou  sekest 
Merlyn ;   therfore  seke  no  ferther,  for  I  am  he,  and  yf 

30  kynge  Uther  wille  wel  rewarde  me,  and  be  sworne  unto 
me  to  fulfille  my  desyre,  that  shall  be  his  honour  and 
profite  more  tha«  myn,  for  I  shalle  cause  hym  to  have 
alle  his  desyre."  "  Alle  this  wyll  I  undertake,"  said 
Ulfius,  "  that  ther  shalle  be  nothyng  resonable  but  thow 


Chap.  II.]      THE  BEGETTING   OF  ARTHUR.  17 

Shalt  have  thy  desyre."  '"  Well,"  said  Merlyn,  "  he  shall 
have  his  entente  and  desyre.  And  therfore,"  saide 
Merlyn,  "  ryde  on  your  wey,  for  I  wille  not  be  long 
behynde." 

Capitulum  Secundum. 

Thenne  Ulfius  was  glad,  and  rode  on  more  than  a    5 
paas  tyll   that  he  came  to  kynge  Utherpendragon,  and 
told  hym  he  had  met  with  Merlyn.    "  Where  is  he  ?  "  said 
the  kyng.    "  Sir,"  said  Ulfius,  "  he  wille  not  dwelle  long." 
Ther  with  al  Ulfius  was  ware  where  Merlyn  stood  at  the 
porche  of  the  pavelions  dore.     And  thenne  Merlyn  was  10 
bounde  to  come  to  the  kynge.     Whan  kyng  Uther  sawe 
hym  he  said  he  was  welcome.     "  Syr,"  said  Merlyn,  "  I 
knowe  al  your  hert  every  dele  :  so  ye  wil  be  sworn  unto 
me,  as  ye  be  a  true  kynge  enoynted,  to  fulfille  my  desyre, 
ye  shal  have  your  desyre."  Thenne  the  kyng  was  sworne  15 
upon  the  iiij  Evva;/gelistes.     "  Syre,"  said  Merlyn,  "  this 
is  my  desyre  :  the  first  wyght  thaX.  ye  shal  lye  by  Igrayne 
ye  shal  gete  a  child  on  her,  and  whan  that  is  borne  that 
it  shall  be  delyverd  to  me  for  to  nourisshe  there  as  I  wille 
have  it;   for  it  shal  be    your  worship   and    the    childis  20 
availle,  as  mykel  as  the  child  is  worth."     "  I  wylle  wel," 
said  the  kynge,  "  as  thow  wilt  have  it,"     "'  Now  make  you 
redy,"    said    Merlyn;    "this   nyght   ye    shalle    lye   with 
Igrayne  in  the  castel  of  Tyntigayll,  and  ye  shalle  be  lyke 
the  duke  her  husband.    Ulfyus  shal  be  lyke  Syre  Brastias,  25 
a  knyghte  of  the  dukes.     And  I  will  be  lyke  a  knyghte 
that  hyghte  Syr  Jordanus,  a  knyghte  of  the  dukes.     But 
wayte  ye  make  not  many  questions  with  her  nor  her  men, 
but  saye  ye  are  diseased,  and  soo  hye  yow  to  bedde ;  and 
ryse  not  on  the  morne  tyll  I  come  to  yow,  for  the  castel  30 
of  Tyntygaill  is  but  x  myle  hens."     Soo  this  was  done  as 
they  devysed.  _ 


18  LE  MORTE   DAKTHUR.  [Book  I. 

But  the  duke  of  Tyntigail  aspyed  hou  the  kyng  rode 
fro  the  syege  of  Tarabil,  and  therfor  that  nyghte  he 
yssued  oute  of  the  castel  at  a  posterne  for  to  have  dis- 
tressid  the  kynges  hooste.  And  so  thorowe  his  owne 
5  yssue  the  duke  hym  self  was  slayne  or  ever  the  kynge 
cam  at  the  castel  of  Tyntigail.  So  after  the  deth  of  the 
duke  kyng  Uther  lay  with  Igrayne  more  than  thre  houres 
after  his  deth,  and  begat  on  her  that  nyg^/i[t]  ^  Arthur. 
And  on  day  cam  Merlyn  caw  to  the  kyng  and  bad  hym 

lo  make  hym  redy ;  and  so  he  kist  the  lady  Igrayne  and 
departed  in  all  hast.  But  whan  the  lady  herd  telle  of  the 
duke  her  husba;/d,  and  by  all  record  he  was  dede  or  ever 
kynge  Uther  came  to  her,  thenne  she  merveilled  who  that 
myghte  be  that  laye  with  her  in  lykenes  of  her  lord ;  so 

15  she  mourned  pryvely  and  held  hir  pees.  Thenne  alle  the 
barons  by  one  assent  prayd  the  kynge  of  accord  betwixe 
the  lady  Igrayne  and  hym.  The  kynge  gaf  hem  leve,  for 
fayne  wold  he  have  ben  accorded  with  her.  Soo  the 
kyng  put  alle  the  trust  in  Ulfyus  to  entrete  bitwene  them  ; 

20  so,  by  the  entrete,  at  the  last  the  kyng  and  she  met  to 
gyder.  "  Now  wille  we  doo  well,"  said  Ulfyus  ;  "our  kyng 
is  a  lusty  knyghte  and  wyveles,  and  my  lady  Igrayne  is  a 
passynge  fair  lady ;  it  were  grete  joye  unto  us  all  and  hit 
myghte  please  the  kynge  to  make  her  his  quene."  Unto 

25  that  they  all  well  accordyd  and  meved  it  to  the  kynge. 
And  anone,  lyke  a  lusty  knyghte,.  he  assentid  therto  with 
good  wille,  and  so  in  alle  haste  they  were  maryed  in  a 
mornynge  with  grete  myrthe  and  joye. 

And  kynge  Lott  of  Lowthean  and  of  Orkenay  thenne 

30  wedded  Margawse  that  was  Gaweyns  moder.     And  kynge 

Nentres  of  the  land  of  Garlot  wedded  Elayne.     Al  this 

was  done  at  the  request  of  kynge  Uther.     And  the  thyrd 

syster,  Morgan  le  Fey,^  was  put  to  scole  in  a  nonnery. 

1  Read  nyght.  ^  Caxton's  text  has  lefey. 


Chap.  III.]  THE  BIRTH  OF  ARTHUR.  19 

And  ther  she  lerned  so  moche  that  she  was  a  grete  clerke 
of  nygromancye.  And  after  she  was  wedded  to  kynge 
Uryens  of  the  lond  of  Gore,  that  was  Syre  Ewayns  le 
Blaunche  Maynys  fader. 

Capitulum  tercium. 

Thena^e  quene  Igrayne  waxid  dayly  gretter  and  gretter.    5 
So  it  befel  after  within  half  a  yere,  as  kyng  Uther  lay  by 
his  quene,  he  asked  hir  by  the  feith  she  ou^//t  to  hym, 
whos  was  the  child  within  her  body.     Then;/e  she  sore 
abasshed  to  yeve  ansuer.     "  Desmaye  you  not,"  said  the 
kyng,  "  but  telle  me  the  trouthe,  and  I  shall  love  you  the  10 
better,  by  the  feythe  of  my  body."     "  Syre,"  saide  she,  "  I 
shalle  telle  you  the  trouthe.     The  same  nyghte  that  my 
lord  was  dede,  the  houre  of  his  deth,  as  his   kny^//tes 
record,  ther  came  in  to  my  castel  of  Tyntigaill  a  man  lyke 
my  lord  in  speche  and  in  countenaunce,  and  two  knyghtes  15 
with  hym  in  lykenes  of  his   two  knyghtes   Barcias  and 
Jordans,  and  soo  I  went  unto  bed  with  hym  as  I  ou^//t  to 
do  with  my  lord ;  and  the  same  nyght,  as  I  shal  answer 
unto  God,  this  child  was  begoten  upon  me."     "  That  is 
trouthe,"  saide  the  kynge,  "  as  ye  say,  for  it  was  I  my  self  20 
that  cam  in  the  lykenesse,  and  therfor  desmay  you  not, 
for  I  am  fader  to  the  child."     And  ther  he  told  her  alle 
the  cause,  how  it  was  by  Merlyns  counceil.     Thenne  the 
quene   made  grete  joye  whan  she  knewe  who  was   the 
fader  of  her  child.      Sone  come  Merlyn  unto  the  kyng  25 
and  said  :  "  Syr  ye  must  purvey  yow  for  the  nourisshyng 
of  your  child."     "  As  thou  wolt,"  said  the  kyng,  "  be  it." 
"Wei,"  said  Merlyn,  "  I  knowe  a  lord  of  yours  in  this  land 
that  is  a  passyng  true  man  and  a  feithful,  and  he  shal 
have  the  nourysshyng  of  your  child,  and  his  name  is  Sir  30 
Ector,  and  he  is  a  lord  of  fair  lyvelode  in  many  partyes  in 


20  LE  MORTE   D ARTHUR.  [Book  I. 

Englond  and  Walys  ;  and  this  lord,  Sir  Ector,  lete  hym 
be  sent  for,  for  to  come  and  speke  with  you,  and  desyre 
hym  your  self,  as  he  loveth  you,  that  he  will  put  his  owne 
child  to  nourisshynge  to  another  woman,  and  that  his  wyf 
5  nourisshe  yours.  And  whan  the  child  is  borne  lete  it  be 
delyverd  to  me  at  yonder  pryvy  posterne  uncrystned." 
So  like  as  Merlyn  devysed  it  was  done.  And  whan  Syre 
Ector  was  come  he  made  fyauz/ce  to  the  kyng  for  to 
nourisshe  the  child  lyke  as  the  kynge  desyred,  and  there 

10  the  kyng  graunted  Syr  Ector  grete  rewardys.  Thenne 
when  the  lady  was  delyverd,  the  kynge  commaunded  ij 
knyghtes  and  ij  ladyes  to  take  the  child  bound  in  a  cloth 
of  gold,  "  and  that  ye  delyver  hym  to  what  poure  man  ye 
mete  at  the  posterne  yate  of  the  castel."     So  the  child 

15  was  delyverd  unto  Merlyn,  and  so  he  bare  it  forth  unto 
Syre  Ector,  and  made  an  holy  man  to  crysten  hym,  and 
named  hym  Arthur ;  and  so  Sir  Ectors  wyf  nourysshed 
hym  with  her  owne  pappe. 

Thenne  within  two  yeres  kyng  Uther  felle  seke  of  a 

20  grete  maladye.  And  in  the  meane  whyle  hys  enemyes 
usurpped  upon  hym,  and  dyd  a  grete  bataylle  upon  his 
men,  and  slewe  many  of  his  peple.  "  Sir,"  said  Merlyn, 
"  ye  may  not  lye  so  as  ye  doo,  for  ye  must  to  the  feld, 
though  ye  ryde  on  an  hors  lyttar ;  for  ye  shall  never  have 

25  the  better  of  your  enemyes  but  yf  your  persone  be  there, 
and  thenne  shall  ye  have  the  vyctory."  So  it  was  done 
as  Merlyn  had  devysed,  and  they  caryed  the  kynge  forth 
in  an  hors  lyttar  with  a  grete  hooste  towarde  his  enemyes. 
And  at  Saynt  Albons  ther  mette  with  the  kynge  a  grete 

30  hoost  of  the  North.  And  that  day  Syre  Ulfyus  and  Sir 
Bracias  dyd  grete  dedes  of  amies,  and  kyng  Uthers  men 
overcome  the  Northeryn  bataylle,  and  slewe  many  peple, 
and  putt  the  remenaunt  to  flight.  And  thenne  the  kyng 
retorned  unto  London,  and  made  grete  joye  of  his  vyctory. 


Chap.  III.]  DEATH  OF  KING    UTHER.  21 

And  the«ne  he  fyll  passynge  sore  seke,  so  that  thre  dayes 
and  thre  nyghtes  he  was  specheles ;  wherfore  alle  the 
barons  made  grete  sorow,  and  asked  Alerlyn  what  counceill 
were  best.  '"  There  nys  none  other  remedye,"  said  Mer- 
lyn,  "  but  God  wil  have  his  wille.  But  loke  ye  al,  barons,  5 
be  bifore  kynge  Uther  to  morne,  and  God  and  I  shalle 
make  hym  to  speke."  So  on  the  morne  alle  the  barons 
with  Merlyn  came  to  fore  the  kyng.  Then;/e  Merlyn 
said  aloud  unto  kyng  Uther :  "  Syre,  shall  your  sone 
Arthur  be  kyng  after  your  dayes  of  this  realme  with  all  lo 
the  appertenaunce  ?  "  Thenne  Utherpendragon  torned 
hym  and  said  in  herynge  of  them  alle,  "  I  gyve  hym  Gods 
blissing  and  myne,  and  byd  hym  pray  for  my  soule,  and 
righteuously  and  worshipfully  that  he  clayme  ///e  croune 
upon  forfeture  of  my  blessyng."  And  therwith  he  yelde  15 
up  the  ghost.  And  thenne  was  he  enterid  as  longed  to  a 
kyng.  Wherfor  the  quene,  fayre  Igrayne,  made  grete 
sorowe,  and  alle  the  barons. 

Thenne  stood  the  reame  in  grete  jeopardy  long  whyle, 
for  every  lord  that  was  myghty  of  men  maade  hym  20 
stronge,  and  many  wende  to  have  ben  kyng.  Thenne 
Merlyn  wente  to  the  archebisshop  of  Caunterbury,  and 
counceilled  hym  for  to  sende  for  alle  the  lordes  of  the 
reame,  and  alle  the  gentilmen  of  armes,  that  they  shold 
to  London  come  by  Cristmas  upon  payne  of  cursynge.  25 
And  for  this  cause,  that  ]\\esw,  that  was  borne  on  that 
nyghte,  that  he  wold  of  his  grete  mercy  shewe  some 
myracle,  as  he  was  come  to  be  kynge  of  mankynde,  for 
to  shewe  somme  myracle  who  shold  be  rightwys  kynge  of 
this  reame.  So  the  archebisshop  by  the  advys  of  Merlyn  30 
send  for  alle  the  lordes  and  gentilmen  of  armes,  that  they 
shold  come  by  Crystmasse  even  unto  London.  And 
many  of  hem  made  hem  clene  of  her  lyf,  that  her  prayer 
myghte  be  the  more  acceptable  unto  God.     Soo  in  the 


22  LE  MO  RTF.    DARTHUR.  [Book  I. 

grettest  chirch  of  I,ondon  (whether  it  were  Powlis  or  not 
the  Frensshe  booke  maketh  no  mencyon)  alle  the  estates 
were  longe  or  day  in  the  chirche  for  to  praye.  And  whan 
matyns  and  the  first  masse  was  done,  there  was  sene  in 

5  the  chircheyard  aye«st  the  hyghe  aulter  a  grete  stone  four 
square,  lyke  unto  a  marbel  stone.  And  in  myddes  therof 
was  lyke  an  anvylde  of  stele  a  foot  on  hyghe,  and  theryn 
stack  a  fayre  swerd  naked  by  the  poynt,  and  letters  there 
were  wryten  in  gold  aboute  the  swerd  that  saiden  thus  •- 

lo  "  Who  so  puUeth  oute  this  swerd  of  this  stone  and  anvyld 
is  rightwys  kynge  borne  of  all  Enlond."  Thenne  the 
peple  merveilled,  and  told  it  to  the  archebisshop.  "  I 
commande,"  said  tharchebisshop,  "  that  ye  kepe  yow 
within  your  chirche,  and  pray  unto  God  still  that  no  man 

15  touche  the  swerd  tyll  the  hyghe  masse  be  all  done."  So 
whan  all  masses  were  done  all  the  lordes  wente  to  beholde 
the  stone  and  the  swerd.  And  whan  they  sawe  the 
scripture,  som  assayed,  suche  as  wold  have  ben  kyng. 
But  none  myght  stere  the  swerd  nor  meve  hit.     "  He  is 

30  not  here,"  said  the  archebisshop,  "that  shall  encheve  the 
swerd,  but  doubte  not  God  will  make  hym  knowen. 
But  this  is  my  counceill,"  said  the  archebisshop,  "that 
we  lete  purvey  x  kny^//tes,  men  of  good  fame,  and  they 
to  kepe  this  swerd."     So  it  was  ordeyned,^  and  the//ne 

25  ther  was  made  a  crye,  that  every  ma//  shold  assay  that 
wold,  for  to  Wynne  the  swerd.  And  upon  Newe  Yeersday 
the  barons  lete  maake  a  justes  and  a  tournement,  that 
alle  kny^/ztes  that  wold  juste  or  tourneye  there  myo-/;t 
playe ;  and  all  this  was  ordeyned  for  to  kepe  the  lordes 

30  to  gyders  and  the  comyns,  for  the  archebisshop  trusted 
that  God  wold  make  hym  knowe  that  shold  wynne  the 
swerd.  So  upon  Newe  Yeresday  whan  the  servyce  was 
done  the  barons  rode  unto  the  feld,  some  to  juste,  and 

1  Caxton's  text  has  ordeydeyned. 


Chap.  III.]      THE  SWORD   IN  THE  STONE.  23 

som  to  torney,  and  so  it  happed  that  Syre  Ector,  that  had 
grete  lyvelode  aboute  London,  rode  unto  the  justes,  and 
with  hym  rode  Syr  Kaynus  his  sone  and  yong  Arthur  that 
was  hys  nourisshed  broder ;  and  Syr  Kay  was  made 
kny^/^t  at  Al-halowmas  afore.  So  as  they  rode  to  th&  5 
justes  ward  Sir  Kay  lost  his  swerd,  for  he  had  lefte  it  at 
his  faders  lodgyng,  and  so  he  prayd  yong  Arthur  for  to 
ryde  for  his  swerd.  "  I  wyll  wel,"  said  Arthur,  and  rode 
fast  after  tho.  swerd ;  and  whan  he  cam  home  the  lady 
and  al  were  out  to  see  the  joustyng.  Thenne  was  Arthur  10 
wroth  and  saide  to  hym  self,  "  I  will  ryde  to  the  chircheyard 
and  take  the  swerd  with  me  that  stycketh  in  the  stone, 
for  my  broder  Sir  Kay  shal  not  be  without  a  swerd  this 
day."  So  whan  he  cam  to  the  chircheyard  Sir  Arthur 
■sXxghX.  and  tayed  his  hors  to  the  style,  and  so  he  wente  to  15 
the  tent,  and  found  no  kny^//tes  there,  for  they  were  atte 
justyng ;  and  so  he  handled  the  swerd  by  the  handels, 
and  li^//tly  and  fiersly  pulled  it  out  of  the  stone,  and  took 
his  hors  and  rode  his  way  untyll  he  came  to  his  broder 
Sir  Kay,  and  delyverd  hym  the  swerd.  And  as  sone  as  20 
Sir  Kay  saw  the  swerd  he  wist  wel  it  was  the  swerd  of 
the  stone,  and  so  he  rode  to  his  fader  Syr  Ector  and  said, 
"  Sire,  loo  here  is  the  swerd  of  the  stone,  wherfor  I  must 
be  kyng  of  thys  land."  When  Syre  Ector  beheld  the 
swerd  he  retorned  ageyne  and  cam  to  the  chirche ;  and  25 
there  they  ali^/^te  al  thre  and  wente  in  to  the  chirche. 
And  anon  he  made  Sir  Kay  swere  upon  a  book  how  he 
came  to  that  swerd.  "  Syr,"  said  Sir  Kay,  "  by  my  broder 
Arthur,  for  he  brought  it  to  me."  "  How  gate  ye  this 
swerd  }  "  said  Sir  Ector  to  Arthur.  "  Sir,  I  will  telle  you  :  30 
when  I  cam  home  for  my  broders  swerd,  I  fond  no  body 
at  home  to  delyver  me  his  swerd.  And  so  I  thought  my 
broder  Syr  Kay  shold  not  be  swerdles,  and  so  I  cam 
hyder  egerly  and  pulled  it  out  of  the  stone  withoute  ony 


24  LE  MORTE  DARTHUR.  [Book  I. 

payn."  "Found  ye  ony  kny^V/tes  about  this  swerd  ? " 
seid  Sir  Ector.  "  Nay,"  said  y\rthur.  "  Now,"  said  Sir 
Ector  to  Arthur,  "  I  understa;/de  ye  must  be  kynge  of 
this  land."  "  Wherfore  I,"  sayd  Arthur,  "and  for  what 
5  cause  '>.  "  "  Sire,"  saide  Ector,  "  for  God  wille  have  hit 
soo ;  for  ther  shold  never  man  have  drawen  oute  this 
swerde  but  he  that  shal  be  rightwys  kyng  of  this  land. 
Now  lete  me  see  whether  ye  can  putte  the  swerd  ther  as 
it  was,  and  puUe  hit  oute  ageyne."  "  That  is  no  maystry," 
lo  said  Arthur,  and  soo  he  put  it  in  the  stone.  Wherwith 
alle  Sir  Ector  assayed  to  puUe  oute  the  swerd  and  faylled. 

Capitulum  sejtum.' 

"  Now  assay,"  said  Syre  Ector  unto  Syre  Kay.  And 
anon  he  pulled  at  the  swerd  with  alle  his  myghte,  but  it 
wold  not  be.     "  Now  shal  ye  assay,"  said  Syre  Ector  to 

15  Arthur.  "I  wyll  wel,"  said  Arthur,  and  pulled  it  out 
easily.  And  therwith  alle  Syre  Ector  knelyd  doune  to 
the  erthe,  and  Syre  Kay.  "  Alias,"  said  Arthur,  "  myne 
own  dere  fader  and  broder,  why  knele  ye  to  me  ?  "  "  Nay, 
nay,  my  lord  Arthur,  it  is  not  so.     I  was  never  your  fader 

20  nor  of  your  blood,  but  I  wote  wel  ye  are  of  an  hygher 
blood  than  I  wende  ye  were."  And  thenne  Syre  Ector 
told  hym  all  how  he  was  bitaken  hym  for  to  nourisshe 
hym,  and  by  whoos  commandement,  and  by  Merlyns 
delyverau;/ce.    Thenne  Arthur  made  grete  doole  whan  he 

25  understood  that  Syre  Ector  was  not  his  fader.  "  Sir," 
said  Ector  unto  Arthur,  "  woU  ye  be  my  good  and 
gracious   lord  when   ye    are  kyng  ? "      "  Els   were   I   to 

1  By  a  mistake  in  counting,  this  chapter  is  numbered  in  the 
original  text  sixth  instead  of  fourth.  The  error  is  continued 
throughout  the  first  book.  In  the  table  of  contents,  Chapter  III 
is  made  to  include  Chapters  IV  and  V. 


Chap.  VI.]    ARTHUR  PULLS  OUT  THE  SWORD.  25 

blame,"  said  Arthur,  "for  ye  are  the  man  in  the  world 
that  I  am  most  be  holdyng  to,  and  my  good  lady  and 
moder  your  wyf,  that  as  wel  as  her  owne  hath  fostred  me 
and  kepte.  And  yf  ever  hit  be  Goddes  will  that  I  be 
kynge,  as  ye  say,  ye  shall  desyre  of  me  what  I  may  doo,  s 
and  I  shalle  not  faille  yow :  God  forbede  I  shold  faille 
yow."  "  Sir,"  said  Sire  Ector,  "  I  will  aske  no  more  of 
yow  but  that  ye  wille  make  my  sone  your  foster  broder 
Syre  Kay  senceall  of  alle  your  landes."  "  That  shalle  be 
done,"  said  Arthur,  "  and  more,  by  the  feith  of  my  body,  lo 
that  never  man  shalle  have  that  office  but  he  whyle  he 
and  I  lyve." 

There  with  all  they  wente  unto  the  archebisshop,  and 
told  hym  how  the  swerd  was  encheved,  and  by  whome. 
And  on  Twelfth  Day  alle  the  barons  cam  thyder,  and  to  15 
assay  to  take  the  swerd  who  that  wold  assay.     But  there 
afore  hem  alle  ther  myghte  none  take  it  out  but  Arthur, 
wherfor  ther  were  many  lordes  wroth,  and  saide  it  was 
grete   shame   unto   them  all  and  the  reame  to  be  over 
governyd  with  a  boye  of  no  hyghe  blood  borne.     And  so  20 
they  fell  oute  at  that  tyme  that  it  was  put  of  tyll  Candel- 
mas.      And  thenne   alle   the   barons    shold    mete   there 
ageyne,   but    alwey  the    x   knyghtes   were   ordeyned   to 
watche  the  swerd  day  and  ny^V/t.     And  so  they  sette  a 
pavelione  over  the  stone  and  /"/ze  swerd,  and  fyve  alwayes  25 
watched.     Soo  at  Candalmasse  many  moo  grete  lordes 
came  thyder  for  to  have  wonne  the  swerde,  but  there 
myghte   none  prevaille.      And   right  as   Arthur  dyd  at 
Cristmasse  he  dyd  at  Candelmasse,  and  pulled  oute  the 
swerde  easely,  wherof  the  barons  were  sore  agreved,  and  30 
put  it  of  in  delay  till  the  hyghe  feste  of  Eester.     And  as 
Arthur  sped  afore,  so  dyd  he  at  Eester;  yet  there  were 
some   of  the   grete   lordes   had  indignacion  that  Arthur 
shold  be  kynge,  and  put  it  of  tn  a  delay  tyll  the  feest  of 


26  LE   MORTE  D ARTHUR.  [Book  I. 

Pentecoste.  Thenne  the  archebisshop  of  Caunterbury 
by  Merlyns  provydence  lete  purveye  thenne  of  the  best 
knyghtes  that  they  rayghte  gete,  and  suche  knyghtes  as 
Utherpendragon  loved  best  and  moost  trusted  in  his 
5  dayes.  And  suche  knyghtes  were  put  aboute  Arthur  as 
Syr  Bawdewyn  of  Bretayn,  Syre  Kaynes,  Syre  Ulfyus, 
Syre  Barsias.  All  these  with  many  other  were  alweyes 
about  Arthur  day  and  nyghte  till  the  feste  of  Pentecost. 

Capftulum  septimum. 

And   at   the   feste   of   Pentecost  alle  maner  of  men 

lo  assayed  to  pulle  at  the  swerde  that  wold  assay,  but  none 
myghte  prevaille  but  Arthur,  and  pulled  it  oute  afore  all 
the  lordes  and  comyns  that  were  there  ;  wherfore  alle  the 
comyns  cryed  at  ones  :  ""  We  wille  have  Arthur  unto  our 
kyng ;  we  wille  put  hym  nomore  in  delay,  for  we  alle  see 

15  that  it  is  Goddes  wille  that  he  shalle  be  our  kynge,  and 
who  that  holdeth  ageynst  it  we  wille  slee  hym."  And 
therwith  all  they  knelyd  at  ones,  both  ryche  and  poure, 
and  cryed  Arthur  mercy,  by  cause  they  had  delayed  hym 
soo  longe.     And  Arthur  foryaf  hem,  and  took  the  swerd 

20  bitwene  both  his  handes,  and  ofifred  it  upon  the  aulter 
where  the  archebisshop  was,  and  so  was  he  made  knyghte 
of  the  best  man  that  was  there.  And  so  anon  was  the 
coronacyon  made,  and  ther  was  he  sworne  unto  his  lordes 
and  the  comyns  for  to  be  a  true  kyng,  to  stand  with  true 

25  justyce  fro  thens  forth  the  dayes  of  this  lyf.  Also  thence 
he  made  alle  lordes  that  helde  of  the  croune  to  come  in, 
and  to  do  servyce  as  they  oughte  to  doo.  And  many 
complayntes  were  made  unto  Sir  Arthur  of  grete  wronges 
that  were   done  syn  the  dethe  of  kyng  Uther,  of  many 

30  londes  that  were  bereved  lordes,  knyghtes,  ladyes,  and 
gentilmen.  Wherfor  kynge  Arthur  maade  the  londes  to 
be  yeven  ageyne  to  them  that  oughte  hem. 


Chap.  VIII.]     THE  KINGS  SCORN  ARTHUR.  27 

Whanne  this  was  done  that  the  kyng  had  stablisshed 
alle  the  countreyes  aboute  London,  thenne  he  lete  make 
Syr  Kay  sencial  of  Englond,  and  Sir  Baudewyn  of  Bretayne 
was  made  constable,  and  Sir  Ulfyus  was  made  chamber- 
layn.  And  Sire  Brastias  was  maade  wardeyn  to  wayte  5 
upon  the  Northe  fro  Trent  forwardes,  for  it  was  that  tyme 
t/iQ  most  party  the  kynges  enemyes.  But  within  fewe 
yeres  after  Arthur  wan  alle  the  North,  Scotland,  and  alle 
that  were  under  their  obeissaunce.  Also  VVal3^s,  a  parte 
of  it,  helde  ayenst  Arthur,  but  he  overcam  hem  al  as  he  10 
dyd  the  remenaunt  thurgh  the  noble  prowesse  of  hym  self 
and  his  knyghtes  of  the  Round  Table. 

(lapitulum  octavum. 

Thenne    the    kyng    remeved    in    to   Walys,    and    lete 
crye  a  grete  feste,  that  it  shold  be  holdyn  at  Pentecost 
after  the  incoronacion   of  hym  at  the  cyte  of  Carlyon.  15 
Unto    the    fest    come    kyng    Lott    of    Lowthean   and  of 
Orkeney  with    fyve    C    kny^//tes  with   hym.      Also  ther 
come    to    the    feste    kynge    Uryens    of    Gore   with    four 
C  kny^/;tes  with  hym.      Also   ther  come  to  that  feeste 
kyng    Nayntres    of     Garloth    with     seven    C    knyghtes  20 
with  hym.     Also  ther  came  to   the  feest  the   kynge   of 
Scotland  with  sixe  honderd  knyghtes  with  hym,  and  he 
was  but  a  yong  man.     Also  ther  came  to  the  feste  a  kyng 
that  was  called  the  kyng  with  the  honderd  knyghtes,  but 
he  and  his  men  were  passyng  wel  bisene  at  al  poyntes.  25 
Also  ther  cam   the   kyng  of   Cardos  with  fyve  honderd 
knyghtes.     And  kyng  Arthur  was  glad  of  their  comynge, 
for  he  wende  that  al  the  kynges  and  knyghtes  had  come 
for  grete  love  and  to  have  done  hym  worship  at  his  feste, 
wherfor  the  kyng  made  grete  joye,  and  sente  the  kynges  30 
and  knyghtes  grete  presentes.     But  the  kynges  wold  none 
receyve,  but  rebuked  the  messagers  shamefully,  and  said 


28-  LE   MORTE   D ARTHUR.  [Book  I. 

they  had  no  joye  to  receyve  no  yeftes  of  a  berdles  boye 
that  was  come  of  lowe  blood,  and  sente  hym  word  they 
wold  none  of  his  yeftes,  but  that  they  were  come  to  gyve 
hym  yeftes  with  hard  swerdys  betwixt  the  neck  and  the 

5  sholders.  And  therfore  they  came  thyder,  so  they  told  to 
the  messagers  playnly,  for  it  was  grete  shame  to  all  them 
to  see  suche  a  boye  to  have  a  rule  of  soo  noble  a  reaume 
as  this  land  was.  With  this  ansuer  the  messagers 
departed,  and  told  to  kyng  Arthur  this  ansuer.    Wherfor, 

lo  by  the  advys  of  his  barons,  he  took  hym  to  a  strong 
towre  with  v  C  good  men  with  hym.  And  all  the  kynges 
afore  said  in  a  maner  leyd  a  syege  tofore  hym,  but  kyng 
Arthur  was  well  vytailled. 

And  within  xv  dayes  ther  came  Merlyn  amonge  hem  in 

15  to  the  cyte  of  Carlyon.  Thenne  all  the  kynges  were 
passyng  gladde  of  Merlyn,  and  asked  hym,  "  For  what 
cause  is  that  boye  Arthur  made  your  kynge  ? "  "  Syres," 
said  Merlyn,  "  I  shalle  telle  yow  the  cause  ;  for  he  is  kynge 
Utherpendragons  sone  borne  in  wedlok,  goten  on  Igrayne, 

2c  the  dukes  wyf  of  Tyntigail."  "  Thenne  is  he  a  bastard," 
they  said  al.  "Nay,"  said  Merlyn, "  after  the  deth  of 
the  duke  more  than  thre  houres  was  Arthur  begoten,  and 
xiij  dayes  after  kyng  Uther  wedded  Igrayne ;  and  therfor 
I  preve  hym  he  is  no  bastard.     And  who  saith  nay,  he 

25  shal  be  kyng,  and  overcome  alle  his  enemyes.  And  or 
he  deye  he  shalle  be  long  kynge  of  all  Englond,  and  have 
under  his  obeyssaunce  Walys,  Yrland,  and  Scotland,  and 
moo  reames  than  I  will  now  reherce."  Some  of  the  kynges 
had  merveyl  of  Merlyns  wordes,  and  demed  well  that  it 

30  shold  be  as  he  said.  And  som  of  hem  lough  hym  to 
scorne,  as  kyng  Lot,  and  mo  other  called  hym  a  wytche. 
But  thenne  were  they  accorded  with  Merlyn  that  kynge 
Arthur  shold  come  oute  and  speke  with  the  kynges,  and 
to  come  sauf  and  to  goo  sauf,  suche  suraunce  ther  was 


Chap.  IX.]        BATTLE  WITH  THE  KINGS.  29 

made.  So  Merlyn  went  unto  kynge  Arthur  and  told  hym 
how  he  had  done,  and  badde  hym,  "  Fere  not,  but  come 
oute  boldly  and  speke  with  hem,  and  spare  hem  not,  but 
ansuere  them  as  their  kynge  and  chyvetayn,  for  ye  shal 
overcome  hem  all  whether  they  wille  or  nylle."  ^ 

Capitulum  tj. 

Thenne  kynge  Arthur  came  oute  of  his  tour,  and  had 
under  his  gowne  a  jesseraunte  of  double  maylle,  and  ther 
wente  with  hym  the  archebisshop  of  Caunterbury,  and 
Syr  Baudewyn  of  Bretayne,  and  Syr  Kay,  and  Syre 
Brastias  ;  these  were  the  men  of  moost  worship  that  were  lo 
with  hym.  And  whan  they  were  mette  there  was  no 
mekenes,  but  stoute  wordes  on  bothe  sydes ;  but  alweyes 
kynge  Arthur  ansuerd  them  and  said,  he  wold  make  them 
to  bowe  and  he  lyved.  Wherfore  they  departed  with 
wrath,  and  kynge  Arthur  badde  kepe  hem  wel,  and  they  15 
bad  the  kynge  kepe  hym  wel.  Soo  the  kynge  retorned 
hym  to  the  toure  ageyne,  and  armed  hym  and  alle  his 
kny»-/ztes.  "  What  will  ye  do  ? "  said  Merlyn  to  the 
kynges ;  "  ye  were  better  for  to  stynte,  for  ye  shalle  not 
here  prevaille  though  ye  were  x  so  many."  "  Be  we  wel  20 
avysed  to  be  aferd  of  a  dreme  reder?"  said  kyng  Lot. 

With  that  Merlyn  vanysshed  aweye,  and  came  to  kynge 
Arthur,  and  bad  hym  set  on  hem  fiersly  ;  and  in  the  mene 
whyle  there  were  thre  honderd  good  men  of  the  best  that 
were  with  the  kynges  that  wente  streyghte  unto  kynge  25 
Arthur,  and  that  comforted  hym  gretely.  "  Syr,"  said 
Merlyn  to  Arthur,  "  fyghte  not  with  the  swerde  ye  had  by 
myracle,  til  that  ye  see  ye  go  unto  the  wers ;  thenne 
drawe  it  out  and  do  your  best."  So  forth  with  alle  kynge 
Arthur  sette  upon  hem  in  their  lodgyng.  And  Syre  30 
Bawdewyn,  Syre  Kay,  and  Syr  Brastias  slewe  on  the  right 
hand  and  on  the  lyfte  hand  that  it  was  merveylle  ;  and 


30  LE  MO  RTF   D  ARTHUR.  [Book  I. 

alweyes  kynge  Arthur  on  horsback  leyd  on  with  a  swerd 
and  dyd  merveillous  dedes  of  armes,  that  many  of  the 
kynges  had  grete  joye  of  his  dedes  and  hardynesse. 
Thenne  kynge  Lot  brake  out  on  the  bak  syde,  and  the 

5  kyng  with  the  honderd  knyghtes,  and  kyng  Carados,  and 
sette  on  Arthur  fiersly  behynde  hym.  With  that  Syre 
Arthur  torned  with  his  knyghtes,  and  smote  behynd  and 
before,  and  ever  Sir  Arthur  was  in  the  formest  prees  tyl 
his  hors  was  slayne  undernethe  hym.    And  therwith  kynge 

10  Lot  smote  doune  kyng  Arthur.  With  that  his  four  knyghtes 
receyved  hym  and  set  hym  an  horsback.  Thence  he  drewe 
his  swerd  Excalibur,  but  it  was  so  bryght  in  his  enemyes 
eyen  that  it  gaf  light  lyke  xxx  torchys.  And  therwith 
he  put  hem  on  bak,  and  slewe  moche  peple.     And  thenne 

15  the  comyns  of  Carlyon  aroos  with  clubbis  and  stavys,  and 
slewe  many  knyghtes ;  but  alle  the  kynges  helde  them  to 
gyders  with  her  knyghtes  that  were  lefte  on  lyve,  and  so 
fled  and  departed.  And  Merlyn  come  unto  Arthur,  and 
counceilled  hym  to  folowe  hem  no  furthur. 

Capitulum  jv>ij. 

20  Thenne  Merlyn  took  his  leve  of  Arthur  and  of  the  ij 
kynges,  for  to  go  and  see  his  mayster  Bleyse  that  dwelde 
in  Northumberland,  and  so  he  departed  and  cam  to  his 
maister,  that  was  passyng  glad  of  his  comynge.  And 
there  he  tolde  how  Arthur  and  the  two  kynges  had  sped 

25  at  the  grete  batayll,  and  how  it  was  ended,  and  told  the 
names  of  every  kyng  and  knyght  of  worship  that  was 
there.  And  soo  Bleyse  wrote  the  bataill  word  by  word 
as  Merlyn  told  hym,  how  it  began,  and  by  whome,  and  in 
lyke  wyse  how  it  waS  endyd,  and  who  had  the  werre.     All 

30  the  batails  that  were  done  in  Arthurs  dayes  Merlyn  dyd 
his  maister  Bleyse  do  wryte.  Also,  he  did  do  wryte  all 
the  batails  that  every  worthy  knyght  dyd  of  Arthurs  courte. 


Chap.  XVII.]  MERLIN  AS  A  CHURL. 


31 


After  this  Merlyn  departed  from  his  mayster  and  came 
to  kynge  Arthur,  that  was  in  the  castel  of  Bedegrayne, 
that  was  one  of  the  castels  that  stondyn  in  the  forest  of 
Sherewood.  And  Merlyn  was  so  disguysed  that  kynge 
Arthur  knewe  hym  not,  for  he  was  al  be  furred  in  black  5 
shape  skynnes,  and  a  grete  payre  of  bootes,  and  a  bowe 
and  arowes,  in  a  russet  gowne,  and  broughte  wild  gyse  in 
his  ha«d,  and  it  was  on  the  morne  after  Candelmas  Day, 
but  kyng  Arthur  knewe  hym  not.  "  Syre,"  said  Merlyn 
unto  the  kynge,  "  wil  ye  gyve  me  a  yefte  ?  "  "  Wherfor,"  10 
said  kyng  Arthur,  "  shold  I  gyve  the  a  yefte,  chorle  ? " 
"Sir,"  said  Merlyn,  "ye  were  better  to  gyve  me  a  yefte 
that  is  not  in  your  hand  than  to  lese  grete  rychesse,  for 
here,  in  the  same  place  there  the  grete  bataill  was,  is 
grete  tresour  hyd  in  the  erthe."  "Who  told  the  so,  15 
chorle?"  said  Arthur.  "Merlyn  told  me  so,"  said  he. 
Thenne  Ulfyus  and  Brastias  knew  hym  wel  ynough,  and 
smyled.  "  Syre,"  said  these  two  knyghtes,  "  it  is  Merlyn 
that  so  speketh  unto  yow."  Thenne  kyng  Arthur  was 
gretely  abasshed  and  had  merveyll  of  Merlyn,  and  so  had  20 
kynge  Ban  and  kynge  Bors,  and  soo  they  had  grete 
dysport  at  hym. 

Soo  in  the  meane  whyle  there  cam  a  damoysel  that  was 
an  erlys  doughter,  his  name  was  Sanam,  and  her  name 
was  Lyonors,  a  passynge  fair  damoysel,  and  so  she  cam  25 
thyder  for  to  do  homage  as  other  lordes  dyd  after  the 
grete  bataill.  And  kyng  Arthur  sette  his  love  gretely 
upon  her  and  so  dyd  she  upon  hym,  and  the  kyng  had 
adoo  with  her,  and  gat  on  her  a  child,  his  name  was 
Borre,  that  was  after  a  good  knyghte  and  of  the  Table  30 
Round.  Thenne  ther  cam  word  that  the  kyng  Ryence  of 
Northen  Walys  maade  grete  werre  on  kynge  Lodegreance 
of  Camylyard,  for  the  whiche  thyng  Arthur  was  wroth,  for 
he  loved  hym  wel  and  hated  kyng  Ryence,  for  he  was 


32  LE  MORTE  D ARTHUR.  [Book  L 

alwey  ageynst  hym.  So  by  ordenaunce  of  the  ihre  kynges 
that  were  sente  home  unto  Benwyck,  alle  they  wold 
departe  for  drede  of  kynge  Claudas,  and  Pharyaunce,  and 
Antemes,  and  Grasians,  and  Lyonses  Payarne  with  the 
5    leders  of  tho  that  shold  kepe  the  kynges  landys. 

Capitulum  jvifj. 

And  thenne  kynge  Arthur  and  kynge  Ban  and  kyng 
Bors  departed  with  her  felauship,  a  xx  M,  and  came 
within  vj  dayes  in  to  the  countrey  of  C[a]myHarde,  and 
there    rescowed    kynge    Lodegreaunce,    and   slewe   ther 

10  moche  people  of  kynge  Ryence  unto  the  nombre  of  x  M 
men,  and  put  hym  to  flyghte.  And  thenne  had  these  thre 
kynges  grete  chere  of  kyng  Lodegreaunce,  that  thanked 
them  of  their  grete  goodnesse  that  they  wold  revenge  hym 
of  his  enemyes,  and  there  hadde  Arthur  the  fyrst  syght  of 

15  Gwenever,  the  kynges  doughter  of  Camylyard,  and  ever 
after  he  loved  her.  After  they  were  weddyd,  as  it  telleth 
in  the  booke.  Soo,  brevely  to  make  an  ende,  they  took 
theyr  leve  to  goo  in  to  theyre  owne  countreyes,  for  kynge 
Claudas  dyd  grete  destruction  on  their  landes.     Thenne 

20  said  Arthur,  "I  wille  goo  with  yow."  "Nay,"  said  the 
kynges,  "  ye  shalle  not  at  this  tyme,  for  ye  have  moche  to 
doo  yet  in  these  landes,  therfore  we  wille  departe,  and 
with  the  grete  goodes  that  we  have  goten  in  these  landes 
by  youre  yeftes,  we  shalle  wage  good  knyghtes  and  with- 

25  stande  the  kynge  Claudas  malyce ;  for,  by  the  grace  of 
God,  and  we  have  nede  we  wille  sende  to  yow  for  youre 
socour.  And  yf  ye  have  nede,  sende  for  us,  and  we  wille 
not  tary,  by  the  feythe  of  our  bodyes."  "  Hit  shalle  not," 
saide  Merlyn,  "  nede  that  these  two  kynges  come  ageyne 

30  in  the  wey  of  werre.  But  I  knowe  wel  kynge  Arthur 
maye  not  be  longe  from  yow,  for  within  a  yere  or  two  ye 


Chap.  XVIII.]       PLANS  OF  THE  KINGS.  33 

shalle  have  grete  nede.  And  thenne  shalle  he  revenge 
yow  on  youre  enemyes,  as  ye  have  done  on  his.  For 
these  xj  kynges  shal  deye  all  in  a  day  by  the  grete  myghte 
and  prowesse  of  armes  of  ij  valyaunt  knyghtes,  as  it 
telleth  after;  her  names  ben  Balyn  le  Saveage  and  Balan  5 
his  broder,  that  ben  merveillous  good  knyghtes  as  ben 
ony  lyvyng. 

Now  torne  we  to  the  xj  kynges,  that  retorned  unto  a 
cyte  that  hyghte  Sorhaute,  the  whiche  cyte  was  within 
kynge  Uryens,  and  ther  they  refresshed  hem  as  wel  as  10 
they  myght,  and  made  leches  serche  theyr  woundys,  and 
sorowed  gretely  for  the  dethe  of  her  p-eple.     With  that 
ther  came  a  messager  and  told  how  ther  was  comen  in  to 
their  landes  people  that  were  laules  as  wel  as  Sarasyns  a 
xl  M,  "and  have  brent  and  slayne  al  the  peple  that  they  15 
may  come  by  withoute  mercy,  and  have  leyd  syege  on  the 
castel  of  Wawdisborow."      "Alias!"  sayd  the  xj  kynges, 
"here  is  sorow  upon   sorou,  and  yf  we  had  not  warryd 
ageynst  Arthur  'as  we  have  done,  he  wold  soone  revenge 
us  :  as  for  kyng  Lodegryaunce  he  loveth  Arthur  better  20 
than  us,  and  as  for  kyng  Ryence  he  hath  ynough  to  doo 
with  Lodegreans,  for  he  hath  leyd  syege  unto  hym."     Soo 
they  consentyd  to  gyder  to  kepe  alle    the    marches    of 
Cornewayle,  of  Walys,  and  of  the  Northe.     Soo  fyrst  they 
putte  kynge   Idres  in  the  cyte  of  Nauntys  in  Brytayne  25 
with  iiij   thowsand  men  of  armes,  to  watche  bothe  the 
water    and   the    land.       Also   they   put   in    the    cyte   of 
VVyndesan  kynge  Nauntres  of  Garlott  with  four  thousand 
knyghtes,  to  watche  both  on  water  and  on  lond.     Also 
they  had  of  other  men  of  werre  moo  than  eyght  thousand,  30 
for   to    fortyfye    alle    the    fortresses    in   the  marches   of 
Cornewaylle.      Also  they  put  moo  kny^V/tes  in  alle  the 
marches  of  Walys  and  Scotland,  with  many  good  men  of 
armes ;  and  soo  they  kepte  hem  to  gyders  the  space  of 


34  LE  MORTE  D ARTHUR.  [Book  1. 

thre  yere,  and  ever  alyed  hem  with  myghty  kynges  and 
dukes  and  lordes.  And  to  them  felle  kynge  Ryence  of 
North  Walys,  the  whiche  was  a  myghty  man  of  men,  and 
Nero,  that  was  a  myghty  man  of  men.  And  all  this 
5  whyle  they  furnysshed  hem  and  garnysshed  hem  of  good 
men  of  armes  and  vytaille,  and  of  alle  maner  of  abylement 
that  pretendith  to  the  werre,  to  avenge  hem  for  the 
bataille  of  Bedegrayne,  as  it  telleth  in  the  book  of 
aventures  folowynge. 

Capita lum  ji|. 

lo  Thea^ne  after  the  departyng  of  kyng  Ban  and  of  kyng 
Bors,  kynge  Arthur  rode  unto  Carlyon.  And  thyder  cam 
to  hym  kyng  Lots  wyf  of  Orkeney,  in  maner  of  a  message, 
but  she  was  sente  thyder  to  aspye  the  courte  of  kynge 
Arthur ;  and  she  cam  rychely  bisene  with  her  four  sones, 

15  Gawayn,  Gaherys,  Agravaynes,  and  Gareth,  with  many 
other  knyghtes  and  ladyes ;  for  she  was  a  possynge '  fayr 
lady,  wherfore  the  kynge  cast  grete  love  unto  her,  and 
desyred  to  lye  by  her.  So  they  were  agreed,  and  he 
begate  upon  her  Mordred,  and  she  was  his  syster  on  the 

20  moder  syde  Igrayne.  So  ther  she  rested  her  a  moneth, 
and  at  the  last  departed. 

Thenne  the  kyng  dremed  a  merveillous  dreme  wherof 
he  was  sore  adrad.  But  al  this  tyme  kyng  Arthur  knewe 
not  that  kyng  Lots  wyf  was  his  syster.     Thus  was  the 

25  dreme  of  Arthur :  Hym  thought  ther  was  come  in  to  this 
land  gryffons  and  serpentes,  and  hym  thoughte  they 
brente  and  slough  alle  the  peple  in  the  Ia;/d.  And 
thenne  hym  thoughte  he  faughte  with  hem,  and  they  dyd 
hym  passynge  grete  harme,  and  wounded  hym  ful  sore, 

30  but  at  the  last  he  slewe  hem, 

Whanne  the  kynge  awaked  he  was  passynge  hevy  of 

*  Read  passynge  ? 


Chap.  XIX.]  THE   QUESTING  BEAST.  35 

his  dreme,  and  so  to  put  it  oute  of  thoughtes  he  made 
hym  redy  with  many  knyghtes  to  ryde  on  huntynge.     As 
soone  as  he  was  in  the  forest  the  kynge  sawe  a  grete  hert 
afore    hym.      "  This   herte    wille    I    chace,"   said    kynge 
Arthur,  and  so  he  spored  the  hors  and  rode  after  longe.    5 
And  so  by  fyne  force  ofte  he  was  lyke  to  have  smyten  the 
herte,  where  as  the  kynge  had  chaced  the  herte  soo  long 
that  his  hors  had  loste  hys  brethe,  and  fylle  doune  dede. 
Thenne  a  yoman  fette  the  kynge  another  hors.     So  the 
kyng  sawe  the  herte  enbusshed  and  his  hors   dede,  he  10 
sette  hym  doune  by  a  fontayne,  and  there  he  fell  in  grete 
thoughtes.     And  as  he  satte  so  hym  thoughte  he  herd  a 
noyse  of  houndes  to  the  somme  of  xxx.     And  with  that 
the  kynge  sawe  comyng  toward  hym  the  straungest  best 
that  ever  he  sawe  or  herd  of.     So  the  best  wente  to  the  15 
welle  and  drank,  and  the  noyse  was  in  the  bestes  bely 
lyke  unto  the  questyng  of  xxx  coupyl  houndes,  but  alle 
the  whyle  the  beest  dranke  there  was  no  noyse  in  the 
bestes  bely.     And  therwith  the  best  departed  with  a  grete 
noyse,  wherof  the  kyng  had  grete  merveyll.     And  so  he  20 
was  in  a  grete  thoughte,  and  therwith  he  fell  on  slepe. 
Ryght  so  ther  came  a  knyght  a  foote  unto  Arthur,  and 
sayd,  "  Knyght,  full  of  thought  and  slepy,  telle  me  yf  thow 
sawest  a  straunge  best  passe  this  waye."     "  Suche  one 
sawe  I,''  said  kynge  Arthur,  "  that  is  past  two  myle  :  what  25 
wold  ye  with  the  best  ? "  said  Arthur.      "  Syre,  I  have 
folowed  that  best  long  tyme,  and  kyld  myne  hors  ;    so 
wold  God  I  had  another  to  folowe  my  quest."  Ry^/^te  so 
came  one  with  the  kynges  hors ;  and  whan  the  knyght 
sawe  the  hors  he  prayd  the  kyng  to  yeve  hym  the  hors.  30 
"  For  I  have  folowed  this  quest  this  xij  moneth,  and  other 
I  shal  encheve  hym  or  blede  of  the  best  blood  of  my 
body."     Pellinore  that  tyme  kynge  folowed  the  questynge 
best,  and  after  his  deth  Sir  Palamydes  folowed  hit. 


36  LE  MORTK   D ARTHUR.  [Book  I. 


Capitulum  jr» 

"Syr  knyghte,"  said  the  kynge,  " leve  that  quest  and 
suffre  me  to  have  hit,  and  I  wyll  folowe  it  another  xij 
moneth."  "A,  foole,"  said  the  knyghte  unto  Arthur,  "it 
is  in  veyne  thy  desyre,  for  it  shalle  never  ben  encheved 
5  but  by  me,  or  my  next  kyn."  There  with  he  sterte  unto 
the  kynges  hors  and  mounted  in  to  the  sadel,  and  said, 
"  Gramercy,  this  hors  is  myn  owne."  "  Wei,"  said  the 
kynge,  "  thow  mayst  take  myn  hors  by  force,  but  and  I 
my^//te  preve  the  whether  thow  were  better  on  horsbak 

10  or  I."  "Wei,"  said  the  knyght,  "  seke  me  here  whan 
thow  wolt,  and  here  nygh  this  wel  thow  shalt  fynde  me," 
and  soo  passyd  on  his  weye.  Thenne  the  kyng  sat  in  a 
study,  and  bad  his  men  fetche  his  hors  as  faste  as  ever 
they  myghte. 

15  Ryght  soo  came  by  hym  Merlyn  lyke  a  child  of  xiiij 
yere  of  age,  and  salewed  the  kyng,  and  asked  hym  why 
he  was  so  pensyf.  "  I  may  wel  be  pensyf,"  sayd  the 
kynge,  "  for  I  have  sene  the  merveyllest  sy<^/^t  that  ever  I 
sawe."     "That  knowe   I  wel,"  said  Merlyn,  "as  wel  as 

20  thy  self,  and  of  all  thy  thoughtes,  but  thow  art  but  a  foole 
to  take  thought,  for  it  wylle  not  amend  the.  Also  I 
knowe  what  thow  arte,  and  who  was  thy  fader,  and  of 
whome  thow  were  begoten  ;  kynge  Utherpendragon  was 
thy  fader,  and  begat  the  on  Igrayne."     "That  is  fals," 

25  said  kyng  Arthur,  "  how  sholdest  thou  knowe  it  ?  for  thow 
arte  not  so  old  of  yeres  to  knowe  my  fader,"  "Yes," 
sayd  Merlyn,  "  I  knowe  it  better  than  ye  or  ony  man 
lyvynge."  "  I  wille  not  bileve  the,"  said  Arthur,  and  was 
wroth  with  the  child. 

30  Soo  departed  Merlyn  and  came  ageyne  in  the  lykenes 
of  an  old  man  of  iiij  score  yere  of  age,  wherof  the  kynge 


Chap.  XX]         MERLIN'S  PREDICTIONS.  37 

was  ryght  glad,  for  he  semed  to  be  ryghte  wyse.  Thenne 
saide  the  old  man,  "  Why  are  ye  so  sad  ?  "  "  I  maye  wel 
be  hevy,"  said  Arthur,  "  for  many  thynges.  Also  here 
was  a  chyld  and  told  me  many  thynges  that  me  semeth 
he  shold  not  knowe,  for  he  was  not  of  age  to  knowe  my  5 
fader."  "  Yes,"  said  the  old  man,  "  the  child  told  yow 
trouthe,  and  more  wold  he  have  tolde  yow  and  ye  wolde 
have  suffred  hym.  But  ye  have  done  a  thynge  late  that 
God  is  displeasyd  with  yow,  for  ye  have  layne  by  your 
syster,  and  on  her  ye  have  goten  a  chyld  that  shalle  10 
destroye  yow  and  all  the  knyghtes  of  your  realme." 
"  What  are  ye,"  said  Arthur,  "  that  telle  me  these 
tydynges  ? "  "I  am  Merlyn,  and  I  was  he  in  the  childes 
lykenes."  "  A,"-sayd  kyng  Arthur,  "ye  are  a  merveillous 
man,  but  I  merveylle  moche  of  thy  wordes  that  I  mote  15 
dye  in  bataille."  "Merveylle  not,"  said  Merlyn,  "for  it 
is  Gods  wyll  youre  body  to  be  punysshed  for  your  fowle 
dedes.  But  I  may  wel  be  sory,"  said  Merlyn,  "for  I 
shalle  dye  a  shameful  deth,  to  be  put  in  the  erthe  quyck, 
and  ye  shall  dye  a  worshipful  deth."  And  as  they  talked  20 
this,  cam  one  with  the  kynges  hors,  and  so  the  kyng 
mounted  on  his  hors  and  Merlyn  on  another,  and  so  rode 
unto  Carlyon.  And  anone  the  kynge  asked  Ector  and 
Ulfyus  how  he  was  bigoten.  And  they  told  hym  Uther- 
pendragon  was  his  fader  and  quene  Igrayn  his  moder.  25 
Thenne  he  sayd  to  Merlyn,  "  I  wylle  that  my  moder  be 
sente  for  that  I  may  speke  with  her,  and  yf  she  saye  so 
her  self,  the;/ne  wylle  I  byleve  hit."  In  all  hast  the 
quene  was  sente  for,  and  she  cam  and  broughte  with  her 
Morgan  le  Fay  her  doughter,  that  was  as  fayre  a  lady  as  3° 
ony  myghte  be  ;  and  the  kynge  welcomed  Igrayne  in  the 
best  maner. 

52942 


38  LE  MORTE  D ARTHUR.  [Book  I. 


Capitulum  jjj. 

Ryght  soo  cam  Ulfyus  and  saide  openly,  that  the 
kynge  and  all  my^//t  here  that  were  fested  that  day,  "  Ye 
are  the  falsest  lady  of  the  world,  and  the  most  traitresse 
unto  the  kynges  person."  "  Beware,"  saide  Arthur,  "what 
5  thow  saist,  thow  spekest  a  grete  word."  "  I  am  wel 
ware,"  said  Ulfyus,  "what  I  speke,  and  here  is  my  glove 
to  preve  hit  upon  ony  man  that  will  seye  the  contrary, 
that  this  quene  Igrayne  is  causar  af^  your  grete  domage, 
and  of  your  grete  werre.     For,  and  she  wold  have  utterd 

lo  it  in  the  lyf  of  kyng  Utherpe/zdragon  of  the  byrthe  of 
yow,  and  how  ye  were  begoten,  ye  had  never  had  the 
mortal  werrys  that  ye  have  had,  for  the  moost  party  of 
your  barons  of  your  realme  knewe  never  whos  sone  ye 
were,  nor  of  whome  ye  were  begoten.     And  she  that  bare 

15  yow  of  her  body  shold  have  made  it  knowen  openly  in 
excusyng  of  her  worship  and  yours,  and  in  lyke  wyse  to 
alle  the  reame  ;  wherfor  I  preve  her  fals  to  God  and  to 
yow  and  to  al  your  realme,  and  who  wyll  saye  the  contrary 
I  wyll  preve  it  on  his  body." 

20  Thenne  spak  Igrayne  and  sayd,  "I  am  a  woman,  and  I 
may  not  fyghte,  but  rather  than  I  shold  be  dishonoured 
ther  wold  some  good  man  take  my  quarel.  More,"  she 
sayd,  "  Merlyn  knoweth  wel  and  ye,  Syr  Ulfyus,  how 
kynge  Uther  cam  to  me  in  the  castel  of  Tyntagaill,  in  the 

25  lykenes  of  my  lord  that  was  dede  thre  houres  to  fore,  and 
therby  gat  a  child  that  nyght  upon  me.  And  after  the 
xiij  day  kynge  Uther  wedded  me,  and  by  his  commaunde- 
ment  whan  the  child  was  borne  it  was  delyverd  unto 
Merlyn,  and  nourysshed  by  hym,  and  so  I  sawe  the  child 

30  never  after,  nor  wote  not  what  is  his  name,  for  I  knewe 

1  Read  of. 


Chap.  XXII.]  ARTHUR  MEETS  HIS  MOTHER.  39 

hym  never  yet."  And  there  Ulfyus  saide  to  the  quene, 
"Merlyn  is  more  to  blame  than  ye."  "Wei  I  wote,"  said 
the  quene,  "  I  bare  a  child  by  my  lord  kyng  Uther,  but  I 
wote  not  where  he  is  become."  Thenne  Merlyn  toke  the 
kynge  by  the  hand,  sayeng,  "  This  is  your  moder."  And  5 
therwith  Syr  Ector  bare  wytnes  how  he  nourysshed  hym 
by  Uthers  commaundement.  And  therwith  kynge  Arthur 
toke  his  moder  quene  Igrayne  in  his  armes  and  kyst  her, 
and  eyther  wepte  upon  other.  And  thenne  the  kyng  lete 
make  a  feest  that  lasted  eyght  dayes.  lo 

Thenne  on  a  day  ther  come  in  the  courte  a  squyer  on 
hors  back,  ledynge  a  knyght  before  hym  wounded  to  the 
dethe,  and  told  hym  how  ther  was  a  knyght  in  the  forest 
had  rered  up  a  pavelione  by  a  well,  "  And  hath  slayne  my 
mayster,  a  good  knyght,  his  name  was  Myhs ;  wherfor  I  15 
byseche  yow  that  my  mayster  maye  be  buryed,  and  that 
somme  \ixvjghX.  maye  revenge  my  maysters  deth."  Thenne 
the  noyse  was  grete  of  that  knyghtes  dethe  in  the  court, 
and  every  man  said  his  advys.  Thenne  came  Gryflett, 
that  was  but  a  squyer,  and  he  was  but  yonge,  of  the  age  20 
of  the  kyng  Arthur ;  soo  he  besoughte  the  kyng  for  alle 
his  servyse  that  he  had  done  hym  to  gyve  the  ordre  of 
knyghthode. 

Capitulum  xx\\, 

"  Thou  arte  full  yong  and  tendyr  of  age,"  sayd  Arthur, 
"for  to  take  so  hyghe  an  ordre  on  the."  "Sir,"  said  25 
Gryflet,  "  I  byseche  yow  make  me  kny^//t."  "  Syr,"  said 
Merlyn,  "  it  were  grete  pyte  to  lese  Gryflet,  for  he  wille 
be  a  passynge  good  man  whanne  he  is  of  age,  abydynge 
with  yow  the  terme  ^  of  his  lyf.  And  yf  he  aventure  his 
body  with  yonder  knyght  at  the  fontayne,  it  is  in  grete  30 

^  Caxton's  text  has-iermc  me. 


40  LE   MORTE   DARTIIUR.  [Book  I. 

peryll  yf  ever  he  come  ageyne,  for  he  is  one  of  the  best 
knyghtes  of  the  world,  and  the  stre//gyst  man  of  armes." 
"Wei,"  said  Arthur.  So  at  the  desyre  of  Gryflet  the 
kynge  made  hym  knyght.  "  Now,"  said  Arthur  unto  Syre 
5  Gryflet,  "sythen  I  have  made  yow  knyghte,  thow  must 
yeve  me  a  gyfte."  "  What  ye  will,"  said  Gryflet.  "Thou 
shalt  promyse  me  by  the  feythe  of  thy  body  whan  thou 
hast  justed  with  the  knyght  at  the  fontayne,  whether  it 
falle  ye  be  on  foote  or  on  horsbak,  that  ryght  so  ye  shal 

lo  come  ageyne  unto  me  withoute  makynge  ony  more 
debate."  "I  wyll  promyse  yow,"  said  Gryflet,  "as  yow 
desyre."  Thenne  toke  Gryflet  his  hors  in  grete  haste, 
and  dressyd  his  sheld,  and  toke  a  spere  in  his  hand,  and 
so  he  rode  a  grete  wallop  tyll  he  cam  to  the  fontayne,  and 

15  ther  by  he  sawe  a  ryche  pavelion,  and  ther  by  under  a 
clothe  stode  a  fayr  hors  wel  sadeled  and  brydeled,  and  on 
a  tree  a  shelde  of  dyverse  colours,  and  a  grete  spere. 
Thenne  Gryflet  smote  on  the  sheld  with  the  bott  of  his 
spere  that  the  shylde  felle  doune  to  the  ground.     With 

20  that  the  knyght  cam  oute  of  the  pavelione  and  sayd, 
"Fair  knyght,  why  smote  ye  doune  my  sheld?"  "For  I 
wil  juste  with  yow,"  said  Gryflet.  "It  is  better  ye  doo 
not,"  sayd  the  knyghte,  "for  ye  are  but  yong  and  late 
made  knyght,  and  your  myghte  is  nothyng  to  myn."    "  As 

25  for  that,"  saide  Gryflet,  "  I  wylle  juste  with  yow."  "That 
is  me  loth,"  said  the  knyght,  "but  sythen  I  muste  nedes 
I  wille  dresse  me  therto.  Of  whens  be  ye.-*"  sayd  the 
kny^//te.  "  Syre,  I  am  of  Arthurs  courte."  So  the  two 
knyghtes  ranne  to  gyder  that  Grj^flets  spere  al  to  shevered, 

30  and  ther  with  all  he  smote  Gryflet  thorowe  the  shelde  and 
the  lyfte  syde,  and  brake  the  spere  that  the  troncheon 
stack  in  his  body,  that  hors  and  knyghte  fylle  doune. 


Chap.  XXIII.]    THE  EMBASSY  FROM  ROME.  41 


Capitulum  jjiij* 

Than  the  knyght  sawe  hym  lye  soo  on  the  ground,  he 
alyght,  and  was  passynge  hevy,  for  he  wende  he  had 
slayne  hym.  And  thenne  he  unlaced  his  helme  and  gate 
hym  wynde,  and  so  with  the  troncheon  he  set  hym  on  his 
hors  and  gate  him  wynde,  and  so  bytoke  hym  to  God,  and  5 
seid  he  had  a  myghty  hert,  and  yf  he  myght  lyve  he  wold 
preve  a  passynge  good  kny^//t.  And  so  Syr  Gryflet  rode 
to  the  court,  where  grete  doole  was  made  for  hym.  But 
thorowe  good  leches  he  was  heled  and  saved. 

Ryght  so  cam  in  to  the  courte  xij  kny^/^tes  and  were  10 
aged  men,  and  they  cam  from  themperour  of  Rome,  and 
they  asked  of  Arthur   truage  for  this  real  me,  other  els 
themperour  wold  destroye  hym  and  his  land.      "Wei," 
said  kyng  Arthur,  "  ye  are  messagers,  therfor  ye  may  say 
what  ye  wil  other  els  ye  shold  dye  therfore.     But  this  is  15 
myn  ansuer :  I  owe  themperour  noo  truage  nor  none  will 
I  hold  hym,  but  on  a  fayr  felde  I  shall  yeve  hj^m  my 
truage,  that  shal  be  with  a  sharp  spere  or  els  with  a  sharp 
swerd,  and  that  shall  not  be  long,  by  my  faders  soule, 
Utherpendragon."    And  therwith  the  messagers  departed  20 
passyngly  wroth  and  kyng  Arthur  as  wroth ;  for  in  evyl 
tyme  cam  they  thenne,  for  the  kyng  was  passyngly  wroth 
for  the  hurte  of  Sir  Gryflet.     And  soo  he  commaunded  a 
pryvy  man  of  his  chambre,  that  or  hit  be  day  his  best 
hors  and  armour,  with  all  that  longeth  unto  his  persone,  25 
be  withoute  the  cyte  or  to  morowe  daye.     Ryght  so,  or  to 
morow  day,  he  met  with  his  man  and  his  hors,  and  so 
mounted  up,  and  dressid  his  sheld,  and  toke  his  spere, 
and  bad  his  chambcrlayne  tary  there  tyll  he  came  ageyne. 

And  so  Arthur  roode  a  softe  paas  tyll  it  was  day,  and  30 
thenne  was  he  ware  of  thre  chorles  chacynge  Merlyn,  and 


42  LE  MORTE  D ARTHUR.  [Book  I, 

wold  have  slayne  hym.  Thenne  the  kyng  rode  unto  them 
and  bad  them,  "  Flee,  chorles."  Thenne  were  they  aferd 
whan  they  sawe  a  knyght,  and  fled,  "  O  Merlyn,"  said 
Arthur,  "  here  haddest  thou  be  slayne,  for  all  thy  craftes, 
S  had  I  not  byn."  "Nay,"  said  Merlyn,  "not  soo,  for  I 
coude  save  my  self  and  I  wold ;  and  thou  arte  more  nere 
thy  deth  than  I  am,  for  thow  gost  to  the  deth  ward,  and 
God  be  not  thy  frend."  So  as  they  wente  thus  talkyng 
they  came  to  the  fontayne,  and  the  ryche  pavelione  there 

10  by  hit.  Thenne  kyng  Arthur  was  ware  where  sat  a 
knyght  armed  in  a  chayer.  "  Syr  knyght,"  said  Arthur, 
"for  what  cause  abydest  thow  here,  that  ther  maye  no 
knyght  ryde  this  wey  but  yf  he  juste  wyth  the? "  said  the 
kynge.      "  I  rede  the  leve  that   custome,"  said  Arthur. 

15  "This  customme,"  saide  the  knyght,  "have  I  used  and 
wille  use  magre  who  saith  nay ;  and  who  is  greved  with 
my  custome  lete  hym  amende  hit  that  wol."  "I  wil 
amende  it,"  said  Arthur.  "  I  shal  defende  the,"  said  the 
kny^//t.     Anon  he  toke  his  hors  and  dressid  his  shylde, 

20  and  toke  a  spere,  and  they  met  so  hard  either  in  others 
sheldes  that  al  to  shevered  their  sperys.  Ther  with  anone 
Arthur  pulled  oute  his  swerd.  "  Nay,  not  so,"  said  the 
knyght,  "  it  is  fayrer,"  sayd  the  kny^/zt,  "that  we  tweyne 
renne  more  to  gyders  with  sharp  sperys."     "  I  wille  wel," 

25  said  Arthur,  "  and  I  had  ony  mo  sperys."  "  I  have 
ynow,"  said  the  kny^/zt.  So  ther  cam  a  squyer  and 
brou^//t  in  good  sperys,  and  Arthur  chose  one  and  he 
another.  So  they  spored  their  horses,  and  cam  to  gyders 
with  al  the  myghtes,  that  eyther  brak  her  speres  to  her 

30  handes.  Thenne  Arthur  sette  hand  on  his  swerd. 
"Nay,"  seid  the  knyght,  "ye  shal  do  better;  ye  are  a 
passynge  good  juster  as  ever  I  mette  with  al,  and  ones 
for  the  love  of  the  hyghe  ordre  of  kny^//thode  lete  us 
juste  ones  ageyn."    "  I  assente  me,"  said  Arthur.    Anone 


Chap.  XXIII.]    FIGHT  WITH  PELLINORE.  43 

there  were  brought  two  grete  sperys,  and  every  knyght 
gat    a   spere,  and   therwith  they  ranne    to   gyders    that 
Arthurs  spere  al  to  shevered.      But  the   other  knyghte 
hyt  hym  so  hard  in  myddes  of  the  shelde  that  horse  and 
man  felle  to  the  erthe,  and  ther  with  Arthur  was  egre  and    s 
pulled  oute  his  swerd,  and  said,  "I  will  assay  the,  syr 
knyghte,  on  foote,  for  I  have  lost  the  honour  on  horsbak." 
"I  will  be  on  horsbak,"  said  the  knyght.     Thenne  was 
Arthur  wrothe,  and  dressid  his  sheld  toward  hym  with  his 
swerd  drawen.     Whan  the  knyght  sawe  that,  he  a  lyghte,  lo 
for  hym  thought  no  worship  to  have  a  knyght  at  suche 
availle,  he  to  be  on  horsbak  and  he  on  foot,  and  so  he 
alyght    and   dressid    his  sheld  unto  Arthur.      And  ther 
bega«  a  strong  bataille  with  many  grete  strokes,  and  soo 
hewe  with  her  swerdes  that  the  cantels  flewe  in  the  feldes,  15 
and  moche  blood   they  bledde  bothe,  that  al  the  place 
there  as  they  faught  was  over  bledde  with  blood.     And 
thus  they  fought  long  and  rested  hem,  and  thenne  they 
wente  to  the  batayl  ageyne,  and  so  hurtled  to  gyders  lyke 
two  rammes  that  eyther  felle  to  the  erthe.     So  at  the  last  20 
they  smote  to  gyders,  that  both  her  swerdys  met  even  to 
gyders.    But  the  swerd  of  the  knyght  sm.ote  kyng  Arthurs 
swerd  in  two  pyeces,  wherfor  he  was  hevy.     Thenne  said 
the    knyghte    unto  Arthur,  "Thow  arte   in  my  daunger 
whether  me  lyst  to  save  the  or  slee  the,  and  but  thou  25 
yelde  the  as  overcome  and  recreaunt  thow  shalt  deye." 
"As  for  deth,"  said  kyng  Arthur,  "  welcome  be  it  whan  it 
Cometh  ;  but  to  yelde  me  unto  the  as  recreaunt,  I  had 
lever  dye  than  to  be  soo  shamed."     And  ther  with  al  the 
kynge  lepte  unto  Pellinore,  and  tooke  hym  by  the  myddel,  30 
and  threwe  hym  doune,  and  raced  of  his  helme.     Whan 
the  knj^ght  felt  that  he  was  adrad,  for  he  was  passynge 
bygge  man  of  m3'ghte,  and    anone  he  broughte  Arthur 
under    hym,   and    reaccd    of    his    helme,   and  wold  have 
smvten  of  his  hede. 


44  LE  MORTE  D ARTHUR.  [Book  I. 

Capitulum  ssiiij. 

Ther  with  all  came  Merlyn,  and  sayd,  "  Knyghte,  hold 
thy  hand,  for  and  thow  slee  that  knyghte  thou  puttest  this 
reame  in  the  grettest  dammage  that  ever  was  reame ;  for 
this  knyght  is  a  man  of  more  worship  than  thou  wotest 

5  of."  "  Why,  who  is  he  ?  "  said  the  knyghte.  "  It  is  kyng 
Arthur."  Thenne  wold  he  have  slayn  hym  for  drede  of 
his  wrathe,  and  heve  up  his  swerd,  and  therwith  Merlyn 
cast  an  enchauntement  to  the  knyghte,  that  he  felle  to 
the  erthe  in  a  grete  slepe.      Thenne   Merlyn  tooke   up 

lo  kyng  Arthur,  and  rode  forth  on  the  kny^/^tes  hors. 
"  Alias,"  said  Arthur,  "  what  hast  thou  done,  Merlyn  ?  hast 
thow  slayne  this  good  knyghte  by  thy  craftes?  There 
lyveth  not  soo  worshipful  a  knyghte  as  he  was.  I  had 
lever  than  the  stynte  of  my  land  a  yere  that  he  were  on 

15  lyve."  "  Care  ye  not,"  sayd  Merlyn,  "  for  he  is  holer  than 
ye,  for  he  is  but  on  slepe,  and  will  awake  within  thre 
houres."  "  I  told  you,"  said  Merlyn,  "  what  a  knyghte  he 
was.  Here  had  ye  be  slayn  had  I  not  ben.  Also  ther 
lyveth  not  a  bygger  knyght  than  he  is  one,  and  he  shal 

20  here  after  do  yow  ryght  good  servyse,  and  his  name  is 
Pellinore.  And  he  shal  have  two  sones  that  shal  be 
passyng  good  men  ;  sauf  one  they  shalle  have  no  felawe 
or^  prowesse  and  of  good  lyvynge,  and  her  names  shal  be 
Persyval  of  Walys  and  Lamerak  of  Walls;  and  he  shal 

25  telle  yow  the  name  of  your  own  sone  bygoten  of  your 
syster  that  shal  be  the  destruction  of  alle  this  royame." 

Capitulum  rs\>. 

Ryghte  so  the  kyng  and  he  departed,  and  wente  un 
tyl  an  ermyte,  that  was  a  good  man  and  a  grete  leche. 
Soo  the  heremyte  serched  all  his  woundys  and  gaf  hym 

1  Read  of? 


Chap.  XXV.]     ARTHUR  GETS  EXCALIBUR.  45 

good  salves.  So  the  kyng  was  there  thre  dayes,  and 
thenne  were  his  woundes  wel  amendyd  that  he  myght 
ryde  and  goo,  and  so  departed.  And  as  they  rode,  Arthur 
said,  "  I  have  no  swerd."  "  No  force,"  said  Merlyn,  "  here 
by  is  a  swerd  that  shalle  be  yours  and  I  may."  Soo  they  s 
rode  tyl  they  came  to  a  lake,  the  whiche  was  a  fayr  water 
and  brood.  And  in  the  myddes  of  the  lake  Arthur  was 
ware  of  an  arme  clothed  in  whyte  samyte,  that  held  a  fayr 
swerd  in  that  hand.  "  Loo,"  said  Merlyn,  "  yonder  is  that 
swerd  that  I  spak  of."  With  that  they  sawe  a  damoisel  lo 
goyng  upon  the  lake.  "  What  damoysel  is  that  ? "  said 
Arthur.  "  That  is  the  Lady  of  the  Lake,"  said  Merlyn  ; 
"  and  within  that  lake  is  a  roche,  and  theryn  is  as  fayr  a 
place  as  ony  on  erthe  and  rychely  besene,  and  this 
damoysell  wylle  come  to  yow  anone,  and  thenne  speke  ye  15 
fayre  to  her  that  she  will  gyve  yow  that  swerd."  Anone 
with  all  came  the  damoysel  unto  Arthur  and  salewed 
hym,  and  he  her  ageyne.  "Damoysel,"  said  Arthur, 
"  what  swerd  is  that  that  yonder  the  arme  holdeth  above 
the  water?  I  wold  it  were  myne,  for  I  have  no  swerd."  20 
"Syr  Arthur  kynge,"  said  the  damoysell,  "that  swerd  is 
myn,  and  yf  ye  will  gyve  me  a  yefte  whan  I  aske  it  yow, 
ye  shal  have  it."  "  By  my  feyth,"  said  Arthur,  "  I  will 
yeve  yow  what  yefte  ye  will  aske."  "Wel,"  said  the 
damoisel,  "go  ye  into  yonder  barge,  and  rowe  your  self  25 
to  the  swerd,  and  take  it  and  scaubart  with  yow,  and  I 
will  aske  my  yefte  whan  I  see  my  tyme." 

So  Syr  Arthur  and  Merlyn  alyght,  and  tayed  their 
horses  to  two  trees,  and  so  they  went  in  to  the  ship,  and 
whanne  they  came  to  the  swerd  that  the  hand  held,  Syre  30 
Arthur  toke  it  up  by  the  handels,  and  toke  it  with  hym. 
And  the  arme  and  the  ha«d  went  under  the  water,  and  so 
come  unto  the  lond  and  rode  forth.  And  the;me  Syr 
Arthur  sawe  a  ryche  pavelion.    "  What  sygnyfyeth  yonder 


46  LE  MORTE  D ARTHUR.  [Book  I. 

pavelion  ? "  "  That  is  th^  kny^//tes  pavelion,"  seid 
Merlyn,  "  ihaX.  ye  iowghX.  with  last,  Syr  Pellinore  ;  but  he 
is  out,  he  is  not  there,  he  hath  adoo  with  a  knyght  of 
yours  that  hyght  Egglame,  and  they  have  fou^V/ten  to 
5  gyder,  but  al '  the  hist  Egglame  fledde,  and  els  he  had  ben 
dede,  and  he  hath  chaced  hym  even  to  Carlyon,  and  we 
shal  mete  with  hym  anon  in  the  hygh  wey."'  "That  is 
wel  sayd,"  said  Arthur,  "now  have  I  a  swerd,  now  wille 
I  wage  bataill  with  hym  and  be  avenged  on  hym."    "Sir, 

ID  ye  shal  not  so,"  said  Merlyn,  "for  the  knyght  is  wery  of 
fyghtyng  and  chacyng,  so  that  ye  shal  have  no  worship  to 
have  a  do  with  hym.  Also  he  will  not  be  ly<§'//tly  matched 
of  one  kny^//t  lyvyng,  and  therfor  it  is  my  counceil,  lete 
hym  passe ;  for  he  shal  do  you  good  servyse  in  shorte 

15  tyme,  and  his  sones  after  his  dayes.  Also  ye  shal  see 
that  day  in  short  space,  ye  shal  be  ri^//t  glad  to  yeve  him 
your  sister  to  wedde."  "  Whan  I  see  hym  I  wil  doo  as 
ye  advyse,"  sayd  Arthur.  Thenne  Syre  Arthur  loked  on 
the  swerd,  and  lyked  it  passynge  wel.     "  Whether  lyketh 

20  yow  better,"  sayd  Merlyn,  "the  suerd  or  the  scaubard .?  " 
"  Me  lyketh  better  the  swerd,"  sayd  Arthur.  "  Ye  are 
more  unwyse,"  sayd  Merlyn,  "for  the  scaubard  is  worth 
X  of  the  swerdys ;  for  whyles  ye  have  the  scaubard  upon 
yow  ye  shalle  never  lese  no  blood,  be  ye  never  so  sore 

25  wounded ;  therfor  kepe  wel  the  scaubard  alweyes  with 
yow."  So  they  rode  unto  Carlyon,  and  by  the  way  they 
met  with  Syr  Pellinore,  but  Merlyn  had  done  suche  a 
crafte  that  Pellinore  sawe  not  Arthur,  and  he  past  by 
withoute  ony  wordes.     "  I  merveylle,"  sayd  Arthur,  "that 

30  the  knyght  wold  not  speke."  "Syr,"  said  Merlyn,  "he 
sawe  yow  not ;  for  and  he  had  sene  yow  ye  had  not 
lyghtly  departed."  Soo  they  come  unto  Carlyon,  wherof 
his  knyghtes  were    passynge    glad.      And  whanne  they 

1  Read  at. 


Chap.  XXVII.]  DEMAND  FOR  ARTHUR'S  BEARD.  47 

herd  of  his  aventures  they  merveilled  that  he  wold 
jeoparde  his  persone  soo  al  one.  But  alle  men  of 
worship  said  it  was  mery  to  be  under  suche  a  chyvetayne 
that  wolde  put  his  persone  in  aventure  as  other  poure 
knyghtes  dyd.  5 

Capitulum  rjvi|. 

This  meane  whyle  came  a  messager  from  kynge  Ryons 
of  North  walys,  and  kynge  he  was  of  all  Ireland  and  of 
many  lies.  And  this  was  his  message  gretynge  wel 
kynge  Arthur  in  this  manere  wyse,  sayenge  that  kynge 
Ryons  had  discomfyte  and  overcome  xj  kynges,  and  lo 
everyche  of  hem  did  hym  homage,  and  that  was  this  ; 
they  gaf  hym  their  berdys  clene  flayne  of,  as  moche  as 
ther  was  ;  wher  for  the  messager  came  for  kyng  Arthurs 
herd.  For  kyng  Ryons  had  purfyled  a  mantel  with 
kynges  berdes,  and  there  lacked  one  place  of  the  mantel,  15 
wherfor  he  sente  for  his  herd,  or  els  he  wold  entre  in  to 
his  landes,  and  brenne  and  slee,  and  never  leve  tyl  he 
have  the  hede  and  the  berd.  "  Wel,"  sayd  Arthur,  "  thow 
hast  said  thy  message,  the  whiche  is  the  most  vylaynous 
and  lewdest  message  that  ever  man  herd  sente  unto  a  20 
kynge.  Also  thow  mayst  see,  my  berd  is  ful  yong  yet  to 
make  a  purfyl  of  hit.  But  telle  thow  thy  kynge  this  :  I 
owe  hym  none  homage,  ne  none  of  myn  elders,  but  or  it 
be  longe  to  he  shall  do  me  homage  on  bothe  his  kneys, 
or  els  he  shall  lese  his  hede,  by  the  feith  of  my  body,  for  25 
this  is  the  most  shamefullest  message  that  ever  I  herd 
speke  of.  I  have  aspyed  thy  kyng  met  never  yet  with 
worshipful  man,  but  telle  hym  I  wyll  have  his  hede  with- 
oute  he  doo  me  homage."  Thenne  the  messager 
departed.  "Now  is  there  ony  here."  said  Arthur,  "that  30 
knoweth  kyng  Ryons?  "  Thenne  ansuerd  a  knyght  that 
hyght  Naram,  "  Syre,  I  knowe   the  kynge  wel ;  he  is  a 


48  LE  MORTE  D ARTHUR. 

passyng  good  man  of  his  body  as  fewe  ben  lyvynge,  and 
a  passyng  prowde  man,  and,  Sir,  doubte  ye  not  he  wille 
make  warre  on  yow  with  a  myghty  puyssaunce."  "Wei," 
said  Arthur,  "  I  shall  ordeyne  for  hym  in  short  tyme." 

Capitulum  sjviij. 

5  The^v^ste  kyng  Arthur  lete  sende  for  al  the  children 
born  on  May  Day,  begote«  of  lordes  and  born  of  ladyes, 
for  Merlyn  told  kynge  Arthur  that  he  that  shold  destroye 
hym  shold  be  borne  in  May  Day  ;  wherfor  he  sent  for  hem 
all  upon  payn  of  deth,  and  so  ther  were  founde   many 

10  lordes  sones,  and  all  were  sente  unto  the  kynge.  And  soo 
was  Mordred  sente  by  kyng  Lotts  wyf,  and  all  were  put 
in  a  ship  to  the  see,  and  some  were  iiij  wekes  old,  and 
some  lasse.  And  so  by  fortune  the  shyp  drofe  unto  a 
castel,  and  was  al  to  ryven  and  destroyed  the  most  part, 

15  sauf  that  Mordred  was  cast  up,  and  a  good  man  fonde 
hym,  and  nourysshed  hym  tyl  he  was  xiiij  yere  olde. 
And  thenne  he  brought  hym  to  the  court,  as  it  reherceth 
afterward  toward  the  ende  of  the  Deth  of  Arthur.  So 
many  lordes  and  barons  of  this  reame  were  displeasyd, 

20  for  her  children  were  so  lost,  and  many  put  the  wyte  on 
Merlyn  more  than  on  Arthur ;  so  what  for  drede  and  for 
love  they  helde  their  pees.  But  whanne  the  messager 
came  to  kynge  Ryons,  thenne  was  he  woode  oute  of 
mesure,    and    purveyed    hym   for   a   grete   hoost,    as   it 

25  rehercyth  after  in  the  book  of  Balyn  le  Saveage  that 
foloweth  next  after,  how  by  adventure  Balyn  gat  the 
swerd. 


Bjplicit  liber  primus 
'  5ncipit  liber  6ecunt)us 

After  the  dethe  of  Utherpendragon  regned  Arthur  his 
sone,  the  whiche  had  grete  werre  in  his  dayes  for  to  gete 
al  Englond  in  to  his  hand.  For  there  were  many  kynges 
within  the  realme  of  Englond,  and  in  Walys,  Scotland, 
and  Cornewaille.  Soo  it  befelle  on  a  tyme  whanne  kyng  5 
Arthur  was  at  London,  ther  came  a  knyght  and  tolde  the 
kynge  tydynges,  how  that  the  kynge  Ryons  of  Northwalys 
had  rered  a  grete  nombre  of  peple,  and  were  entryd  in  to 
the  land,  and  brente  and  slewe  the  kynges  true  liege 
peple.  "  Yf  this  be  true,"  said  Arthur,  "  it  were  grete  10 
shame  unto  niyn  estate  but  that  he  were  myghtely  with- 
stand." "It  is  trouthe,"  sayd  the  knyghte,  "for  I  sawe 
the  hoost  my  self,"  "  Wei,"  saide  the  kynge,  "  lete  make 
a  crye,"  that  all  the  lordes,  knyghtes,  and  gentylmen  of 
armes  shold  drawe  unto  a  castel  called  Camelot  in  tho  15 
dayes,  and  ther  the  kynge  wold  lete  make  a  counceil 
general  and  a  grete  justes. 

So  whan  the  kynge  was  come  thyder  with  all  his 
baronage,  and  lodged  as  they  semed  best,  ther  was  come 
a  damoisel  the  whiche  was  sente  on  message  from  the  20 
grete  lady  Lylle  of  Avelyon.  And  whan  she  came  bifore 
kynge  Arthur,  she  told  from  whome  she  came,  and  how 
she  was  sent  on  message  unto  hym  for  these  causes. 
Thenne  she  lete  her  mantel  falle  that  was  rychely  furred. 
And  thenne  was  she  gyrd  with  a  noble  swerd  wherof  the  25 
kynge  had  merveill,  and  said,  "  Damoysel,  for  what  cause 
are  ye  gyrd  with  that  swerd  ?  it  bisemeth  yow  not." 
"  Now   shall    I    telle    yow,"  said   the   damoysel.     "  This 


so  LE  MO  RTF   DARTHUR.  [Book  II. 

swerd  that  I  am  gyrd  with  al  doth  me  grete  sorowe  and 
comberaunce,  for  I  may  not  be  delyverd  of  this  swerd  but 
by  a  knyghte ;  but  he  must  be  a  passyng  good  man  of 
his  handes  and  of  his  dedes,  and  withoute  vylonye  or 
5  trecherye,  and  withoute  treason.  And  yf  I  maye  fynde 
suche  a  knyghte  that  hath  all  these  vertues,  he  may  drawe 
oute  this  swerd  oute  of  the  shethe ;  for  I  have  ben  at 
kyng  Ryons.  It  was  told  me  ther  were  passyng  good 
knyghtes,  and  he  and  alle  his  knyghtes  have  assayed  it, 

lo  and  none  can  spede."  "This  is  a  grete  merveill,"  said 
Arthur  ;  "  yf  this  be  sothe,  I  wille  my  self  assaye  to  drawe 
oute  the  swerd,  not  presumynge  upon  my  self  that  I  am 
the  best  knyghte,  but  that  I  will  begynne  to  drawe  at 
your  swerd  in  gyvyng  example  to  alle  the  barons  that  they 

15  shall  assay  everychone  after  other  whan  I  have  assayed 
it."  Thenne  Arthur  toke  the  swerd  by  the  shethe  and  by 
the  gyrdel,  and  pulled  at  it  egrely,  but  the  swerd  wold  not 
oute.  "Sire,"  seid  the  damoysell,  "ye  nede  not  to  pulle 
half  so  hard,  for  he  that  shall  pulle  it  out  shal  do  it  with 

20  lytel  myghte."  "Ye  say  wel,"  said  Arthur.  "Now 
assaye  ye,  al  my  barons,  but  beware  ye  be  not  defoyled 
with  shame,  trechery,  ne  gyle."  "  Thenne  it  wille  not 
avaylle,"  sayd  the  damoysell,  "for  he  must  be  a  clene 
knyght  withoute  vylony,  and  of  a  gentil  strene  of  fader 

25  syde  and  moder  syde."  Moost  of  all  the  barons  of  the 
Round  Table  that' were  there  at  that  tyme  assayed  alle 
by  rewe,  but  ther  myght  non  spede  ;  wherfor  the  damoysel 
made  grete  sorow  oute  of  mesure,  and  sayd,  "Alias!  I 
wende  in  this  courte  had  ben  the  best  knj^ghtes,  withoute 

30  trechery  or  treson."  "  By  my  feythe,"  sayth  Arthur, 
"  here  are  good  knyghtes  as  I  deme  as  ony  ben  in  the 
world,  but  theyr  grace  is  not  to  helpe  yow,  wherfor  I  am 
displeasyd." 


Chap.  II.]  BALIN  AND  THE  SWORD.  51 

Capita lum  ij. 

Thenne  felle  hit  soo  that  tyme  ther  was  a  poure  knyght 
with  kynge  Arthur,  that  had  byn  prysoner  with  hym  half 
a  yere  and  more  for  sleynge  of  a  knyghte,  the  whiche  was 
cosyn  unto  kynge  Arthur.  The  name  of  this  knyght  was 
called  Balen  ;  and  by  good  meanes  of  the  barons  he  was  5 
delyverd  oute  of  pryson,  for  he  was  a  good  man  named  of 
his  body,  and  he  was  borne  in  Northumberland.  And  soo 
he  wente  pryvely  in  to  the  courte,  and  sawe  this  adventure. 
Werof  hit  reysed  his  herte,  and  wolde  assaye  it  as  other 
knyghtes  dyd  ;  but  for  he  was  poure  and  pourely  arayed  10 
he  put  hym  not  ferre  in  prees.  But  in  his  herte  he  was 
fully  assured  to  doo  as  wel  yf  his  grace  happed  hym  as 
ony  knyght  that  there  was.  And  as  the  damoysel  toke 
her  leve  of  Arthur  and  of  alle  the  barons  so  departyng, 
this  knyght  Balen  called  unto  her  and  sayd,  "  Damoysel,  15 
I  praye  yow  of  your  curtesy,  suffre  me  as  wel  to  assay  as 
these  lordes,  though  that  I  be  so  pourely  clothed  :  in  my 
herte  me  semeth  I  am  fully  assured  as  somme  of  these 
other,  and  me  semeth  in  my  herte  to  spede  ryght  wel." 
The  damoysel  beheld  the  poure  knyght,  and  sawe  he  was  20 
a  lykely  man,  but  for  his  poure  arrayment  she  thoughte 
he  shold  be  of  no  worship  withoute  vyionye  or  trechery. 
And  the;me  she  sayd  unto  the  knyght,  "  Sir,  it  nedeth  not 
to  put  me  to  more  payn  or  labour,  for  it  semeth  not  yow 
to  spede  there  as  other  have  failled."  "A,  fayr  damoysel,"  25 
said  Balen,  "  worthynes  and  good  tatches  and  good  dedes 
are  not  only  in  arrayment,  but  manhood  and  worship  is 
hyd  within  mans  person e,  and  many  a  worshipful  knyghte 
is  not  knowen  unto  alle  people,  and  therfore  worship  and 
hardynesse  is  not  in  arayment."  "  By  God,"  sayd  the  3c 
damoysel,  "  ye  say  sothe,  therfor  ye  shal  assaye  to  do  what 
ye  may."  _ 


52  LE  MORTE  D ARTHUR.  [Book  II. 

Thenne  Balen  took  the  swerd  by  the  gyrdel  and  shethe 
and  drewe  it  out  easyly,  and  when  he  loked  on  the  swerd 
hit  pleasyd  hym  moche.  Thenne  had  the  kynge  and  alia 
the  barons  grete  nierveille  that  Balen  hadde  done  tliat 

5  aventure  :  many  knyghtes  had  grete  despyte  af^  Balen. 
"  Certes,"  said  the  damoysel,  "this  is  a  passynge  good 
knyght,  and  the  best  that  ever  I  found,  and  moost  of 
worship  withoute  treson,  trechery,  or  vylony,  and  many 
merveylles    shalle    he   do.      Now,   gentyl    and    curtois 

lo  knyght,  yeve  me  the  swerd  ayene."  "  Nay,"  said  Balen, 
"  for  this  swerd  wylle  I  kepe,  but  it  be  taken  from  me 
with  force."  "Wei,"  saide  the  damoysel,  "ye  are  not 
wyse  to  kepe  the  swerd  from  me,  for  ye  shalle  slee  with 
the  swerd  the  best  frende  that  ye  have,  and  the  man  that 

15  ye  moste  love  in  the  world,  and  the  swerd  shalle  be  your 
destruction."  "  I  shal  take  the  adventure,"  sayd  Balen, 
"  that  God  wille  ordeyne  me,  but  the  swerd  ye  shalle  not 
have  at  this  tyme,  by  the  fey  the  of  my  body."  "  Ye  shalle 
repente  hit  within  short  tyme,"  sayd  the  damoysel,  "  for  I 

20  wold  have  the  swerd  more  for  your  avaylle  than  for  myne, 
for  I  am  passyng  hevy  for  your  sake ;  for  ye  wil  not 
byleve  that  swerd  shal  be  youre  destruction,  and  that  is 
grete  pyte."  With  that  the  damoysel  departed  makynge 
grete  sorowe. 

25  Anone  after  Balen  sente  for  his  hors  and  armour,  and 
soo  wold  departe  fro  the  courte,  and  toke  his  leve  of 
kynge  Arthur.  "  Nay,"  sayd  the  kynge,  "  I  suppose  ye 
wyll  not  departe  so  li^//tely  fro  this  felauship.  I  suppose 
ye  are  displeased  that  I  have  shewed  yow  unkyndenes. 

30  Blame  me  the  lasse  for  I  was  mys  senformed^  ageynst 
yow,  but  I  wende  ye  had  not  ben  suche  a  knyght  as  ye 
are  of  worship  and  prowesse,  and  yf  ye  wyll  abyde  in  this 
courte  among  my  felauship,  I  shalle  so  avaunce  yow  as  ye 

1  Read  o/.  «  Sic. 


Chap.  III.]         THE  LADY  OF   THE  LAKE.  53 

shalle  be  pleased."  "God  thanke  your  hyhenes,"  said 
Balen  ;  "  your  bounte  and  hyhenes  may  no  man  preyse 
half  to  the  valewe,  but  at  this  tyme  I  must  nedes  departe, 
bysechyng  yow  alwey  of  your  good  grace."  "  Truly,"  said 
the  kynge,  "  I  am  ryght  wrothe  for  your  departyng.  I  s 
pray  yow,  faire  knyghte,  that  ye  tary  not  long,  and  ye  shal 
be  ryght  welcome  to  me  and  to  my  barons,  and  I  shalle 
amende  all  mysse  that  I  have  done  ageynst  yow."  "  God 
thanke  your  grete  lordship,"  said  Balen,  and  therwith 
made  hym  redy  to  departe.  Thenne  the  moost  party  of  lo 
the  knyghtes  of  the  Round  Table  sayd  that  Balen  did  not 
this  aventure  al  only  by  myghte,  but  by  wytchecraft. 

Capitulum  Xlercium. 

The  meane  whyle  that  this  knyght  was  makyng  hym 
redy  to  departe,  there  came  in  to  the  court  a  lady  that 
hyght  the  Lady  of  the  Lake.    And  she  came  on  horsback,  15 
rychely  bysene,  and   salewed    kynge  Arthur,   and  there 
asked  hym  a  yefte  that  he  promysed  her  whan  she  gaf 
hym  the  swerd.     "That  is  sothe,"  said  Arthur,  "a  gyfte 
I  promysed  yow,  but  I  have  forgoten  the  name  of  my 
swerd  that  ye  gave  me."      "The  name  of  it,"  said  the  20 
lady,  "  is  Excalibur,  that  is  as  moche  to  say  as,  Cut  stele." 
"  Ye  saye  wel,"  said  the  kynge,  "  aske  what  ye  wil  and  ye 
shall   have  it,   and  hit  lye   in   my  power  to   yeve  hit." 
"Wel,"  sayd  the  lady,  "I  aske  the  heede  of  the  knyghte 
that  hath  wonne  the  swerd,  or  els  the  damoysels  heede  25 
that  broughte  hit.     I  take  no  force  though  I  have  bothe 
their  hedes,  for  he  slewe  my  broder,  a  good  kny^//te  and 
a  true,  and  that  gentilwoman  was  causar  of  my  faders 
deth."     "  Truly,"  said  kynge  Arthur.  "  I  maye  not  graunte 
neyther  of  her  hedes  with  my  worship,  therfor  aske  what  30 
ye  wille  els  and  I  shall  fulfille  your  desyre."     "  I  wil  aske 


54  LE  MORTE  D ARTHUR.  [Book  II. 

none  other  thyng,"  said  the  lady.  Whan  Balyn  was  redy 
to  departe  he  sawe  the  Lady  of  the  Lake  that  by  her 
menes  had  slayne  Balyns  moder,  and  he  had  soughte  her 
thre  yeres ;  and  whan  it  was  told  hym  that  she  asked  his 
5  hede  of  kynge  Arthur  he  went  to  her  streyte  and  said, 
"  Evyl  be  you  fou/^de  :  ye  wold  have  my  hede,  and  ther- 
fore  ye  shall  lese  yours,"  and  with  hys  swerd  lyghtly  he 
smote  of  hir  hede  before  kynge  Arthur.  "  Alias,  for 
shame,"  sayd  Arthur,  "  why  have  ye  done  so  ?  ye  have 

ID  shamed  me  and  al  my  courte ;  for  this  was  a  lady  that  I 
was  be  holden  to,  and  hyther  she  came  under  my  sauf 
conduyte.  I  shalle  never  foryeve  you  that  trespas." 
"  Sir,"  said  Balen,  "  me  forthynketh  of  your  displeasyr, 
for  this  same  lady  was  the  untruest  lady  lyvynge,  and  by 

15  enchauntement  and  sorssery  she  hath  ben  the  destroyer 
of  many  good  knyghtes,  and  she  was  causer  that  my 
moder  was  brente  thorow  her  falshede  and  trechery." 
"What  cause  soo  ever  ye  had,"  said  Arthur,  "ye  shold 
have  forborne  her  in  my  presence  ;  therfor  thynke  not  the 

20  contrary,  ye  shalle  repente  it,  for  suche  another  despyte 
had  I  never  in  my  courte  ;  therfor  withdrawe  yow  oute  of 
my  courte  in  al  hast  that  ye  may." 

Thenne  Balen  toke  up  the  heed  of  the  lady  and  bare  it 
with  hym  to  his  hostry,  and  there  he  met  with  his  squyer, 

25  that  was  sory  he  had  displeasyd  kyng  Arthur,  and  so  they 
rode  forth  oute  of  the  town.  "  Now,"  said  Balen,  "  we 
must  departe  ;  take  thow  this  hede  and  bere  it  to  my 
frendys,  and  telle  hem  how  I  have  sped,  and  telle  my 
frendys  in  Northumberland  that  my  most  foo   is   deed. 

30  Also  telle  hem  how  I  am  oute  of  pryson,  and  what 
ave^ture  bef elle  me  at  the  getyng  of  this  swerd."  "  AllaS," 
said  the  squyar,  "  ye  are  gretely  to  blame  for  to  displease 
kyng  Arthur."  "As  for  that,"  said  Balen,  "  I  wylle  hyhe 
me  in  al  the  hast  that  I  may  to  mete  with  kynge  Ryons 


Chap.  IV.]         LANCEOR  PURSUES  BALIN.  55 

and  destroye  hym  eyther  els  or  dye  therfor ;  and  yf  it  may 
happe  me  to  wynne  hym,  thenne  wille  kynge  Arthur  be 
my  good  and  gracious  lord."  "  Where  shall  I  mete  with 
yow  ?  "  saide  the  squyer.  "  In  kynge  Arthurs  court,"  said 
Balen.  So  his  squyer  and  he  departed  at  that  tyme.  5 
Thenne  kynge  Arthur  and  alle  the  court  made  grete  doole, 
and  had  shame  of  the  deth  of  the  Lady  of  the  Lake. 
Thenne  the  kyng  buryed  her  rychely. 

Capitulum  iiij. 

At  that  tyme  ther  was  a  knyghte  the  whiche  was  the 
kynges  sone  of  Irelond,  and  his  name  was  Launceor,  the  10 
whiche  was  an  orgulous  kny^//t,  and  counted  hym  self  one 
of  the  best  of  the  courte,  and  he  had  grete  despyte  at 
Balen  for  the  enchevynge  of  the  swerd,  that  ony  shold  be 
acounted  more  hardy  or  more  of  prowesse ;  and  he  asked 
kynge  Arthur  yf  he  wold  gyve  hym  leve  to  ryde  after  15 
Balen,  and  to  revenge  the  despyte  that  he  had  done. 
"  Doo  your  best,"  said  Arthur.  "  I  am  right  wroth  said^ 
Balen,  I  wold  he  were  quyte  of  the  despyte  that  he  hath 
done  to  me  and  to  my  courte."  Thenne  this  Launceor 
wente  to  his  hostry  to  make  hym  redy.  20 

In  the  meane  whyle  cam  Merlyn  unto  the  court  of  kyng 
Arthur,  and  there  was  told  hym  the  adventure  of  the 
swerd  and  the  deth  of  the  Lady  of  the  Lake,  "  Now 
shall  I  saye  yow,"  said  Merlyn,  "  this  same  damoysel  that 
here  standeth  that  broughte  the  swerde  unto  your  court,  25 
I  shalle  telle  yow  the  cause  of  her  comynge  :  she  was  the 
falsest  damoysel  that  lyveth."  "  Say  not  so,"  said  they. 
"  She  hath  a  broder,  a  passynge  good  knyght  of  prowesse 
and  a  ful  true  man,  and  this  damoysel  loved  another 
knyght  that  helde  her  to  peramour,  and  this  good  knyght  30 

^  Read  ■with. 


56  LE   MORTE   DARTHUR.  [Book  II. 

her  broder  mett  with  the  knyght  that  held  her  to  peramour, 
and  slewe  hym  by  force  of  his  handes.  Whan  this  fals 
damoysel  understood  thys,  she  wente  to  the  lady  Lyle  of 
Avelione,  and  besought  her  of  help  to  be  avengyd  on  her 
5  owne  broder." 

Capituluiu  Quiutum. 

"  And  so  this  lady  Lyle  of  Avelion  toke  her  this  swerd 
that  she  broughte  with  her,  and  told  there  shold  noo  man 
pulle  it  oute  of  the  shethe  but  yf  he  be  one  of  the  best 
knyghtes  of  this  reanie,  and  he  shold  be  hard  and  ful  of 

lo  prowesse,  and  with  that  swerd  he  shold  slee  her  broder. 
This  was  the  cause  that  the  damoysel  came  in  to  this 
courte.  I  knowe  it  as  wel  as  ye.  Wolde  God  she  had 
nat^  comen  in  to  thys  courte;  but  she  came  never  in 
felauship  of  worship  to  do  good,  but  alweyes  grete  harme, 

15  And  that  knyght  that  hath  encheved  the  suerd  shal  be 
destroyed  by  that  suerd,  for  the  whiche  wil  be  grete 
dommage  ;  for  ther  lyveth  not  a  kny^/^t  of  more  prowesse 
than  he  is,  and  he  shalle  do  unto  yow,  my  lord  Arthur, 
grete  honour  and  kyndenesse,  and  it  is  grete  pyte  he  shall 

20  not  endure  but  a  whyle,  for  of  his  strengthe  and  hardy- 
nesse  I  knowe  not  his  matche  lyvynge." 

Soo  the  knyght  of  Irelonde  armed  hym  at  al  poyntes, 
and  dressid  his  shelde  on  his  sholder,  and  mounted  upon 
horsback,  and  toke  his  spere  in  his  hand,  and  rode  after 

25  a  grete  paas  as  moche  as  his  hors  myght  goo,  and  within 
a  lytel  space  on  a  montayne  he  had  a  syghte  of  Balyn, 
and  with  a  lowde  voys  he  cryed,  "  Abyde,  knyght,  for  ye 
shal  abyde  whether  ye  will  or  nyll,  and  the  sheld  that  is 
to  fore  you  shalle  not  helpe."      Whan   Balyn   herd  the 

30  noyse  he  tourned  his  hors  fyersly,  and  saide,  "  Faire 
knyghte,  what  wille  ye  with  me,  wille  ye  juste  with  me  ?  " 

1  Read  not. 


Chap.  Vr.]  B ALIA'  SLAYS  LA A'CEOR.  57 

"  Ye,"  said  the  Irysshe  knyghte,  "  therfor  come  I  after 
yow."  "  Paraventure,"  said  Balyn,  "it  had  ben  better  to 
have  hold  yow  at  home,  for  many  a  man  weneth  to  putte 
his  enemy  to  a  rebuke,  and  ofte  it  falleth  to  hym  self.  Of 
what  courte  be  ye  sente  fro  ? "  said  Balyn.  "  I  am  come  5 
fro  the  courte  of  kynge  Arthur,"  sayd  the  knyghte  of 
Irlond,  "  that  come  hyder  for  to  revenge  the  despyte  ye 
dyd  this  day  to  kyng  Arthur  and  to  his  courte."  "  VVel," 
said  Balyn,  "  I  see  wel  I  must  have  adoo  with  yow  :  that 
me  forthynketh  for  to  greve  kyng  Arthur  or  ony  of  his  10 
courte  ;  and  your  quarel  is  ful  symple,"  said  Balyn,  "  unto 
me,  for  the  lady  that  is  dede  dyd  me  grete  dommage,  or 
els  wold  I  have  ben  lothe  as  ony  knyghte  that  lyveth  for 
to  slee  a  lady."  "  Make  yow  redy,"  sayd  the  knyght 
Launceor,  "and  dresse  yow  unto  me,  for  that  one  shalle  15 
abyde  in  the  feld."  Thenne  they  toke  their  speres  and 
cam  to  gyders  as  moche  as  their  horses  myght  dryve,  and 
the  Irysshe  knyght  smote  Balyn  on  the  sheld,  that  alle 
wente  shevers  of  his  spere,  and  Balyn  hyt  hym  thorugh 
the  sheld,  and  the  hauberk  perysshed,  and  so  percyd  20 
thurgh  his  body  and  the  hors  croppe,  and  anon  torned 
his  hors  fyersly  and  drewe  oute  his  swerd,  and  wyste  not 
that  he  had  slayn  hym,  and  thenne  he  sawe  hym  lye  as  a 
dede  corps. 

Capitulum  v>j. 

Thenne  he  loked  by  hym  and  was  ware  of  a  damoysel  25 
that  came  ryde  ful  fast  as  the  hors  myghte  ryde  on  a  fayr 
palfroy  ;  and  whan  she  aspyed  that  Launceor  was  slayne 
she  made  sorowe  oute  of  mesure,  and  sayd,  "  O  Balyn, 
two  bodyes  thou  hast  slayne,  and  one  herte  and  two 
hertes  in  one  body,  and  two  soules  thow  hast  lost."  And  .30 
therwith  she  toke  the  swerd  from  her  love  that  lay  ded, 
and  fylle  to  the  ground  in  a  swowne.      And  whan  she 


58  LE  MO  RTF   D  ARTHUR.  [Book  II. 

aroos  she  made  grete  dole  out  of  mesure,  the  whiche 
sorowe  greved  Balyn  passyngly  sore,  and  he  wente  unto 
her  for  to  have  taken  the  swerd  oute  of  her  ha«d,  but  she 
helde  it  so  fast  he  myghte  not  take  it  oute  of  her  hand 

5  onles  he  shold  have  hurte  her ;  and  sodenly  she  sette  the 
pomell  to  the  ground  and  rofe  her  self  thorow  the  body. 
Whan  Balyn  aspyed  her  dedes  he  was  passynge  hevy  in 
his  herte  and  ashamed  that  so  fair  a  damoysell  had  de- 
stroyed her  self  for  the  love  of  his  deth.     "Alias,"  said 

lo  Balyn,  "  me  repe^teth  sore  the  deth  of  this  knyght  for  the 
love  of  this  damoysel,  for  ther  was  moche  true  love 
betwixe  them  bothe."  And  for  sorowe  myght  not  lenger 
behold  hym,  but  torned  his  hors  and  loked  toward  a  grete 
forest,  and  ther  he  was  ware  by  the  armes  of  his  broder 

15  Balan.  And  whan  they  were  mette  they  putte  of  her 
helmes  and  kyssed  to  gyders,  and  wepte  for  joye  and 
pyte.  Thenne  Balan  sayd,  "  I  lytel  wende  to  have  met 
with  yow  at  this  sodayne  aventure ;  I  am  ryght  glad  of 
your  delyveraunce  and  of  youre  dolorous  prysonement; 

20  for  a  ma«  told  me  in  the  castel  of  Four  Stones  that  ye 
were  delyverd,  and  that  man  had  sene  you  in  the  court  of 
kynge  Arthur,  and  therfor  I  cam  hyder  in  to  this  countrey, 
for  here  I  supposed  to  fynde  you."  Anon  the  kny<^/zt 
Balyn  told  his  broder  of  his  adventure  of  the  swerd,  and 

25  of  the  deth  of  the  Lady  of  the  Lake,  and  how  kyng  Arthur 
was  displeasyd  with  hym  :  "  Wherfor  he  sente  this  Vxi^ght 
after  me  that  lyeth  here  dede,  and  the  dethe  of  this 
damoysel  greveth  me  sore."  "  So  doth  it  me,"  said  Balan, 
"but  ye  must  take  the  adventure  that  God  will  ordeyne 

30  yow."  "Truly,"  said  Balyn,  "I  am  ryght  hevy  that  my 
lord  Arthur  is  displeasyd  with  me,  for  he  is  the  moost 
worshipful  knyght  that  regneth  now  on  erthe,  and  his  love 
will  I  gete  or  els  I  wil  put  my  lyf  in  aventure ;  for  the 
kyng  Ryons   lyeth  at  a  syege   atte   castel  Tarabil,  and 


Chap.  VII.]  BURIAL  OF  THE  LOVERS.  59 

thyder  will  we  drawe  in  all  hast  to  preve  our  worship  and 
prowesse  upon  hym."  "  I  wil  wel,"  said  Balan,  "that  we 
do,  and  we  wil  helpe  eche  other  as  bretheren  ou^/^t  to  do." 


"  Now  go  we  hens,"  said  Balyn,  "  and  wel  be  we  met." 
The  mene  whyle  as  they  talked  ther  cam  a  dwarf  from    5 
the  cyte  of  Camelot  on  horsbak,  as  moche  as  he  myght, 
and  fou;/d  the  dede  bodyes ;  wherfor  he  made  grete  dole, 
and  pulled  out  his  here  for  sorou,  and  saide,  "  Which  of 
you  kny^/^tes  have  done  this  dede  ?  "     "  Where  by  askest 
thou  it?"  said  Balan,  "For  I   wold  wete  it,"   said  the  lo 
dwarfe.     "  It  was  I,"  said  Balyn,  "  that  slewe  this  knyght 
in  my  defendau«t,  for  hyder  he  cam  to  chaace  me,  and 
other  I  must  slee  hym  or  he  me  ;  and  this  damoysel  slewe 
her  self  for  his  love,  whiche  repenteth  me,  and  for  her 
sake  I  shal  owe  al  wymmen  the  better  love."     "Alias,"  15 
said  the  dwarf,  "  thow  hast  done  grete  dommage  unto  thy 
self,  for  this  knyght  that  is  here  dede  was  one  of  the  most 
valyaunts  men  that  lyved,  and  trust  wel,  Balyn,  the  kynne 
of  this  knyght  wille  chace  yow  thorowe  the  world  tyl  they 
have  slayne  yow."     "As  for  that,"  sayd  Balyn,  "I  fere  20 
not  gretely,  but  I  am  ryght  hevy  that  I  have  displeasyd 
my  lord  kyng  Arthur  for  the  deth  of  this  knyght." 

Soo  as  they  talked  to  gyders  there  came  a  kynge  of 
Cornewaille  rydynge,  the  whiche  hyghte  kynge  Mark. 
And  whanne  he  sawe  these  two  bodyes  dede,  and  under-  25 
stood  hou  they  were  dede  by  the  ij  knyghtes  above  saide, 
thenne  maade  the  kynge  grete  sorowe  for  the  true  love 
that  was  betwix  them,  and  said,  "  I  wil  not  departe  tyl  I 
have  on  this  erthe  made  a  tombe."  And  there  he  pyght 
his  pavelions,  and  soughte  thurgh  alle  the  countrey  to  30 
fynde  a  tombe  ;  and  in  a  chirche  they  found  one  was  fair 


60  LE  MORTE  J) ARTHUR.  [Book  II. 

and  ryche.  And  thenne  the  kynge  lete  put  hem  bothe  in 
the  erthe,  and  put  the  tombe  upon  hem,  and  wrote  the 
names  of  them  bothe  on  the  tombe,  how  : — "  Here  lyeth 
Launceor  the  kynges  sone  of  Irlond  that  at  his  owne 
5  request  was  slayne  by  the  handes  of  Balyn,  and  how  his 
lady  Colombe  and  peramoure  slewe  her  self  with  her 
loves  swerd  for  dole  and  sorowe." 

CapitvUutu  viij. 

The  mene  whyle  as  this  was  a  doyng,  in  cam  Merlyn 
to  kyng  Mark,  seyng  alle  his  doynge,  said,  "  Here  shalle 

10  be  in  this  same  place  the  grettest  bataille  betwixt  two 
knyghtes  that  was  or  ever  shall  be,  and  the  truest  lovers, 
and  yet  none  of  hem  shalle  slee  other."  And  there 
Merlyn  wrote  her  names  upon  the  tombe  with  letters  of 
gold  that  shold  fyghte  in  that  place,  whos  names  were 

15  Launcelot  de  Lake  and  Trystram.  "  Thow  art  a  merveil- 
lous  man,"  saide  kynge  Marke  unto  Merlyn,  "  that  spekest 
of  suche  merveilles,  thou  art  a  boystous  man  and  an 
unlykely  to  telle  of  suche  dedes  :  what  is  thy  name  ?  " 
said  kynge  Marke.     "At  this  tyme,"  said  Merlyn,  "  I  will 

20  not  telle,  but  at  that  tyme  whan  Syr  Trystram  is  taken 
with  his  soverayne  lady,  thenne  ye  shalle  here  and  knowe 
my  name,  and  at  that  tyme  ye  shal  here  tydynges  that 
shal  not  please  yow."  Thenne  said  Merlyn  to  Balyn, 
"  Thou  hast  done  thy  self  grete  hurt  by  cause  that  thow 

25  savest  not  this  lady  that  slewe  her  self,  that  myght  have 
saved  her  and  thow  woldest."  "By  the  feyth  of  my 
body,"  sayd  Balyn,  "  I  myght  not  save  her,  for  she  slewe 
her  self  sodenly."  "Me  repenteth,"  saide  Merlyn,  "by 
cause  of  the  dethe  of  that  lady  thou  shalt  stryke  a  stroke 

30  most  dolorous  that  ever  man  stroke  excepte  the  stroke  of 
oure  Lorde,  for  thou  shalt  hurte  the  truest  kny^/^t  and  the 


Chap.  VIII.]        MERLIN'S  PROPHECIES.  61 

man  of  most  worship  that  now  lyveth.  and  thorow  that 
stroke  iij  kyngdoms  shal  be  in  grete  poverte,  mysere,  and 
wretch idnes,  xij  yere,  and  the  kny^/^t  shal  not  be  hool  of 
that  wou«d  many  yeres." 

The;me  Merlyn  toke  his  leva  of  Balyn  ;  and  Balen  said,    s 
"Yf  I  wist  it  were  soth  that  ye  say  I  shold  do  suche 
peryllous  dede  as  that,  I  wold  slee  my  self  to  make  the  a 
lyar."     Therwith  Merlyn  vanysshed  awey  sodenly;  and 
thenne  Balyn  and  his  broder  toke  her  leve  of  kynge  Mark. 
"  Fyrst,"  said  the  kynge,  "  telle  me  your  name."     "  Syr,"  lo 
said  Balen,  "  ye  may  see  he  bereth  two  swerdes,  ther  by 
ye  may  calle  hym  the  knyght  with  the  two  swerdes."    And 
soo  departed  kyng  Marke  unto  Camelot  to  kynge  Arthur, 
and  Balyn  toke  the  wey  toward  kyng  Ryons.      And  as 
they  rode  to  gyder  they  mett  with  Merlyn  desguysed,  but  15 
they  knewe  hym  not.    "  W'hyder  ryde  yow  ?  "  said  Merlyn, 
"We  have  lytel  to  do,"  saide  the  ij  kn3'^//tes,  "to  telle 
the."     "But  what  is  thy  name .?  "  said  Balen.     "At  this 
tyme,"  said  Merlyn,  "  I  will  not  telle  it  the."     "  It  is  evyl 
sene,"  said  the  knyghtes,  "  that  thou  art  a  true  man,  that  20 
thou   wolt    not  telle  thy  name."      "As  for  that,"  sayd 
Merlyn,  "  be  hit  as  it  be  may,  I  can  telle  yow  wherfor  ye 
ryde  this  wey,  for  to  mete  kyng  Ryons,  but  it  will  not 
availle  you  without  ye  have  my  counceill."      "A,"  said 
Balyn,  "  ye  are  Merlyn  :  we  wyl  be  rulyd  by  your  cou//-  25 
ceill."      "  Come  on,"  said  Merlyn,  "  ye  shal  have  grete 
worship,  and  loke  that  ye  do  kny^V/tely,  for  ye  shal  have 
grete  nede."     "As  for  that,"  said  Balen,  "  drede  yow  not 
we  will  do  what  we  may." 


62  LE  MOKTE  D ARTHUR.  [Book  II. 


Capitulum  Ij, 

Thenne  Merlyn  lodged  them  in  a  wode  amonge  levys 
besyde  the  hyhe  way,  and  toke  of  the  brydels  of  their 
horses  and  put  hem  to  gras,  and  leid  hem  doun  to  reste 
hem  tylle  it  was  nyhe  mydny^'-Z/t.  Thenne  Merlyn  badde 
5  hem  ryse  and  make  hem  redy,  for  the  the^  kynge  was  nygh 
them,  that  was  stolen  awey  from  his  hoost  with  a  iij  score 
horses  of  his  best  kny^//tes,  and  xx  of  hem  rode  to  fore  to 
warne  the  lady  de  Vance  that  the  kyng  was  comyng ;  for 
that    ny^//t    kyng    Ryons    shold    have    layn    with   her. 

io"Whiche  is  the  kyng?"  said  Balyn.  "Abyde,"  said 
Merlyn,  "here  in  a  streyte  wey  ye  shal  mete  with  hym"; 
and  therwith  he  shewed  Balyn  and  his  broder  where  he 
rode.  Anon  Balyn  and  his  broder  mette  with  the  kyng, 
and  smote  hym  doune,  and  wounded  hym  fyersly,  and  leid 

15  hym  to  the  ground,  and  there  they  slewe  on  the  ryght 
hand  and  the  lyfte  hand,  and  slewe  moo  than  xl  of  his 
men  ;  and  the  remenaunt  fled.  Thenne  went  they  ageyne 
to  kyng  Ryons,  and  wold  have  slayn  hym  had  he  not 
yelded   hym    unto    her   grace.      Thenne    said    he    thus : 

20  "  Knyghtes  ful  of  prowesse,  slee  me  not,  for  by  my  lyf  ye 
may  wynne,  and  by  my  dethe  ye  shalle  wynne  noo 
thynge."  Thenne  sayd  these  two  knyghtes,  '"  Ye  say 
sothe  and  trouth";  and  so  leyd  hym  on  on'-  hors  lyttar. 
With    that    Merlyn    was   vanysshed    and    came  to  kyng 

25  Arthur  afore  hand,  and  told  hym  how  his  most  enemy 
was  taken  and  discomfyted.  "  By  whome  ?  "  said  kynge 
Arthur.  "By  two  knyghtes,"  said  Merlyn,  "that  wold 
please  your  lordship,  and  to  morowe  ye  shalle  knowe 
what  knyghtes  they  are."     Anone  after  cam  the  knyght 

30  with  the  two  swerdes,  and  Balan  his  broder,  and  brought 
1  Sic.  ^  Read  an. 


Chap.  X.]  KING  RYONS  A  PRISONER.  63 

with  hem  kynge  Ryons  of  Northwalys,  and  there  delyverd 
hym  to  the  porters,  and  charged  hem  with  hym  ;  and  soo 
they  two  retorned  ageyne  in  the  daunyng  of  the  day. 

Kynge  Arthur  cam  thenne  to  kyng  Ryons  and  said, 
"  Syr  kynge,  ye  are  welcome  :  by  what  aventure  come  ye  5 
hyder  ?  "  "  Syr,"  said  kyng  Ryons,  "  I  cam  hyther  by  an 
hard  aventure."  "  Who  wanne  yow  ?  "  said  kyng  Arthur. 
"  Syre,"  said  the  kyng,  "  the  knyght  with  the  two  swerdes 
and  his  broder,  whiche  are  two  merveillous  knyghtes  of 
prowesse."  "  I  knowe  hem  not,"  sayd  Arthur,  "  but  lo 
moche  I  am  beholden  to  them."  "A,"  said  Merlyn,  "I 
shal  telle  yow,  it  is  Balen  that  encheved  the  swerd  and 
his  broder  Balan  a  good  knyght ;  ther  lyveth  not  a  better 
of  prowesse  and  of  worthynesse,  and  it  shal  be  the 
grettest  dole  of  hym  that  ever  I  knewe  of  knyght,  for  he  15 
shalle  not  long  endure."  "Alias,"  saide  kynge  Arthur, 
"  that  is  grete  pyte,  for  I  am  moche  beholdyng  unto  hym, 
and  I  have  yll  deserved  it  unto  hym  for  his  kyndenes." 
*'  Nay,"  said  Merlyn,  "  he  shal  do  moche  more  for  yow, 
and  that  shal  ye  knowe  in  hast.  But,  syr,  are  ye  20 
purveyed  ?  "  said  Merlyn,  "  for  to  morne  the  hooste  of 
Nero,  kynge  Ryons  broder,  wille  sette  on  yow  or  none 
with  a  grete  boost,  and  therfor  make  yow  redy,  for  I  wyl 
departe  from  yow." 

Capitulum  j. 

Thenne  kyng  Arthur  made  redy  his  boost  in  x  batails,  25 
and  Nero  was  redy  in  the  felde  afore  the  castel  Tarabil 
with  a  grete  boost,  and  he  had  x  batails,  with  many  mo 
peple  than  Arthur  had.  Thenne  Nero  had  the  vaward 
with  the  moost  party  of  his  peple ;  and  Merlyn  cam  to 
kyng  Lot  of  the  Yle  of  Orkeney,  and  helde  hym  with  a  30 
tale  of  prophecye  til  Nero  and  his  peple  were  destroyed. 


64  LE  MORTE  DARTHUR.  [Book  II. 

And  ther  Syr  Kay  the  sencyal  dyd  passyngly  wel,  that  the 
dayes  of  his  lyf  the  worship  went  never  fro;;/  hym,  and 
Sir  Hervys  de  Revel  did  merveillous  dedes  with^ 
kynge  Arthur,  and  kynge  Arthur  slewe  that  daye  xx 
5  knyghtes  and  maymed  xl.  At  that  tyme  cam  in  the 
kny^//te  with  the  two  swerdys,  and  his  broder  Balan. 
But  they  two  did  so  merveillously  that  the  kynge  and  alle 
the  knyghtes  merveilled  of  them,  and  alle  they  that 
behelde  them  said  they  were  sente  from  heven  as  aungels 

lo  or  devyls  from  helle ;  and  kynge  Arthur  said  hym  self 
they  were  the  best  knyghtes  that  ever  he  sawe,  for  they 
gaf  suche  strokes  that  all  men  had  wo;/der  of  hem.  In 
the  meane  whyle  came  one  to  kynge  Lott  and  told  hym, 
whyle  he  taryed  there  Nero  was  destroyed   and  slayne 

15  with  al  his  peple.  "Alias,"  sayd  kynge  Lot,  "I  am 
ashamed,  for  by  my  defaute  ther  is  many  a  worshipful 
man  slayne,  for  and  we  had  ben  to  gyders  there  hadde 
ben  none  hooste  under  the  heven  that  had  ben  abel  for 
to  have  matched  with  us.     This  fayter  with  his  prophecye 

20  hath  mocked  me."  Al  that  dyd  Merlyn,  for  he  knewe 
wel  that  and  kyng  Lot  had  ben  with  his  body  there  at  the 
fyrst  bataille,  kynge  Arthur  had  be  slayne  and  alle  his 
peple  destroyed.  And  wel  Merlyn  knewe  the  one  of  the 
kynges  shold  be  dede  that  day,  and  loth  was  Merlyn  that 

25  ony  of  them  both  sholde  be  slayne.     But  of  the  tweyne 

he  had  lever  kyng  Lotte  had  be  slayne  than  kynge  Arthur. 

"  Now,  what  is  best  to  doo  ?  "  sayd  kyng  Lot  of  Orke- 

ney,  "  whether  is  me  better  to  treate  with  kynge  Arthur 

or  to  fyghte,  for  the  gretter  party  of  oure  peple  are  slayne 

30  and  destroyed."  "  Syr,"  said  a  knyght,  "set  on  Arthur, 
for  they  are  wery  and  forfoughten,  and  we  be  fresshe." 
"  As  for  me,"  sayd  kyng  Lot,  "  I  wolde  every  knyght 
wolde  do  his  parte  as  I  wold  do  myn."     And  thenne  they 

1  With  repeated  in  Caxton's  text. 


Chap.  X.]  DEATH  OF  KING  LOT.  65 

avaunced  baners  and  smoten  to  gyders,  and  al  to  shevered 
their  speres ;  and  Arthurs  knyghtes,  with  the  helpe  of 
the  knyght  with  two  swerdes  and  his  broder  Balan,  put 
kyng  Lot  and  his  boost  to  the  werre.^  But  alweyes  kyng 
Lot  helde  hym  in  the  formest  frunte  and  dyd  merveillous  s 
dedes  of  armes ;  for  alle  his  hooste  was  borne  up  by  his 
handes,  for  he  abode  al  knyghtes.  Alias  !  he  myght  not 
endure,  the  whiche  was  grete  pyte  that  so  worthy  a  knyyt^ 
as  he  was  one  shold  be  overmatched,  that  of  late  tyme 
afore  hadde  ben  a  knyght  of  kyng  Arthurs,  and  wedded  lo 
the  sister  of  kyng  Arthur.  And  for  kyng  Arthur  lay  by 
kyng  Lots  wyf,  the  whiche  was  Arthurs  syster,  and  gat  on 
her  Mordred,  therfor  kyng  Lot  held  aye;/st  Arthur.  So 
ther  was  a  knyght  that  was  called  the  knyghte  with  the 
straunge  beeste,  and  at  that  tyme  his  ryght  name  was  15 
called  Pellinore,  the  whiche  was  a  good  man  of  prowesse, 
and  he  smote  a  myghty  stroke  att  kynge  Lot  as  he  fought 
with  all  his  enemyes,  and  he  fayled  of  his  stroke,  and 
smote  the  hors  neck,  that  he  fylle  to  the  grounde  with 
kyng  Lot.  And  therwith  anon  Pellinore  smote  hym  a  20 
grete  stroke  thorow  the  helme  and  hede  unto  the  browes  ; 
and  thenne  alle  the  hooste  of  Orkeney  fled  for  the  deth 
of  kynge  Lott,  and  there  were  slayn  many  moders  sones. 
But  kynge  Pellinore  bare  the  wytte  of  the  deth  of  kynge 
Lot,  wherfore  Syr  Gawayne  revenged  the  deth  of  his  25 
fader  the  x  yere  after  he  was  made  knyght,  and  slewe 
kynge  Pellinore  with  his  owne  handes.  Also  there  were 
slayne  at  that  bataille  xij  kynges  on  the  syde  of  kyng  Lot 
with  Nero,  and  alle  were  buryed  in  the  chirche  of  Saynt 
Stevyns  in  Camelot,  and  the  remenaunt  of  knyghtes  and  30 
of  other  were  buryed  in  a  grete  roche. 

1  Read  werse.  ^  Sit, 


66  LE  MORTK   DARTHUR.  [Book  It. 

CapitiUum  jj. 

So  at  the  enterement  cam  kynge  Lots  wyf  Morgause 
with  her  foure  sones,  Gawayne,  Agravayne,  Gaherys,  and 
Gareth.  Also  ther  came  thyder  kyng  Uryens  Syr  Ewayns 
fader  and  Morgan  le  Fay  his  wyf  that  was  kyng  Arthurs 
5  syster.  Alle  these  cam  to  the  enterement,  but  of  alle 
these  xij  kynges  kyng  Arthur  lete  make  the  tombe  of 
kynge  Lot  passyng  rychely,  and  made  his  tombe  by  his 
owne.  And  thenne  Arthur  lete  make  xij  ymages  of  laton 
and  couper,  and  over  gylt  hit  with  gold  in  the  sygne   of 

lo  xij  kynges,  and  echon  of  hem  helde  a  tapyr  of  wax  that 
brent  day  and  ny^//t ;  and  kyng  Arthur  was  made  in  sygne 
of  a  fygure  standynge  above  hem  with  a  swerd  drawen  in 
his  hand,  and  alle  the  xij  fygures  had  countenaunce  lyke 
unto  men  that  were  overcome.      All  this  made  Merlyn  by 

15  his  subtyl  crafte,  and  ther  he  told  the  kyng,  "Wha//  I  am 
dede  these  tapers  shalle  brenne  no  lenger,  and  soone 
after  the  adventures  of  the  Sangrayll  shalle  come  among 
yow  and  be  encheved."  Also  he  told  Arthur  how  Balyr 
the  worshipful  knyght  shal   gyve   the   dolourous   stroke, 

20  wherof  shalle  falle  grete  vengeaunce.  "  O,  where  is  Balen, 
and  Balan,  and  Pellinore  ?  "  saide  kynge  Arthur.  "  As 
for  Pellinore,"  sayd  Merlyn,  "  he  wyl  mete  with  yow  soone  ; 
and  as  for  Balyn  he  wille  not  be  longe  from  yow,  but  the 
other  broder  wil   departe,   ye  shalle  see  hym  no  more." 

25  "  By  my  feyth."  said  Arthur,  "  they  are  two  merveyllous 
knyghtes,  and  namely  Balyn  passeth  of  prowesse  of  ony 
knyghte  that  ever  I  found,  for  moche  be  holden  I  am 
unto  hym  ;  wold  God  he  wold  abyde  with  me."  "  Syr," 
sayd  Merlyn,  "  loke  ye  kepe  wel  the  scaubard  of  Excalibur, 

30  for  ye  shalle  lese  no  blood  whyle  ye  have  the  scauberd 
upon  yow,  though  ye  have  as  many  woundes  upon  yow  as 
ye  may  have." 


Chap.  XII]   THE  SCABBARD  OF  EXCALTBUR.  67 

Soo  after,  for  grete  trust  Arthur  betoke  the  scaubercl  to 
Morgan  le  Fay  his  syster,  and  she  loved  another  knyght 
better  than  her  husband  kynge  Uryens  or  kynge  Arthur, 
and  she  wold  have  had  Arthur  her  broder  slayne,  and 
ther  for  she  lete  make  another  scauberd  lyke  it  by  5 
enchauntement,  and  gaf  the  scauberd  Excalibur  to  her 
love.  And  the  knyghtes  name  was  called  Accolon,  that 
after  had  nere  slayne  kyng  Arthur.  After  this  Merlyn 
told  unto  kynge  Arthur  of  the  prophecye  that  there  shold 
be  a  grete  batail  besyde  Salysbury,  and  Mordred  his  owne  ic 
sone  sholde  be  ageynste  hym.  Also  he  tolde  hym  that 
Basdemegus  was  his  cosyn,  and  germayn  unto  kynge 
Uryence. 

Capitulum  jij. 

Wythin  a  daye  or  two  kynge  Arthur  was  somewhat 
seke,  and  he  lete  pytche  his  pavelione  in  a  medowe,  and  15 
there  he  leyd  hym  doune  on  a  paylet  to  slepe,  but  he 
myght  have  no  rest.     Ryght  so  he  herd  a  grete  noyse  of 
an  hors,  and  therwith  the  kynge  loked  cute  at  the  porche 
of  the  pavelione,  and  sawe  a  knyght  comynge  even  by 
hym  makyng  grete  dole.     "  Abyde,  fair  syr,"  said  Arthur,  20 
"and  telle  me  wherfor  thow  makest  this  sorowe."     "  Ye 
maye  lytel  amend  me,"  said  the  knyghte,  and  soo  passed 
forthe  to  the  castel  of  Melyot.      Anone  after  ther  cam 
Balen,  and  whan  he  sawe  kynge  Arthur  he  alyght  of  his 
hors,  and  cam  to  the  kynge  on  foote,  and  salewed  hym.  25 
"  By  my  hede,"  saide   Arthur,  "  ye  be  welcome.      Sire, 
ryght  now  cam  rydynge  this  way  a  knyght  makynge  grete 
moorne,  for  what  cause  I  can  not  telle  ;  wherfor  I  wold 
desyre  of  yow  of  your  curtosye  and  of  your  gentylnesse 
to  fetche  ageyne  that  knyght  eyther  by  force  or  els  by  his  30 
good  wil."     '"  I  wil  do  more  for  your  lordship  than  that," 
said  Balyn ;  and  so  he  rode  more  than  a  paas,  and  found 


6S  LE   MORTE   D ARTHUR.  [Book  II. 

iIk'  knyght  with  a  clamo3^sel  in  a  forest,  and  said,  "  Sir 
kny^V/t,  ye  must  come  with  me  unto  kynge  Arthur  for  to 
telle  hym  of  your  sorow."  "That  wille  I  not,"  sayd  the 
knyghte,  ""  for  hit  wylle  scathe  me  gretely,  and  now  do 
5  yow  none  avaylle."  "  Syr,"  sayd  Balyn,  "  I  pray  vow 
make  yow  redy,  for  ye  must  goo  with  me,  or  els  1  must 
fyghte  with  yow  and  brynge  yow  by  force,  and  that  were 
me  loth  to  doo."  "Wylle  ye  be  my  waraunt,"  said  the 
knyght,  "  and  I  goo  with  yow  ?  "     "  Ye,"  saide  Balyn,  "  or 

lo  els  I  wylle  deye  therfore."  And  so  he  made  hym  redy 
to  go  with  Balyn,  and  lefte  the  damoysel  stylle.  And  as 
they  were  even  afore  kynge  Arthurs  pavelione  there  came 
one  invysybel,  and  smote  thys  knyghte  that  wente  with 
Balyn  thorow  oute  the  body  wyth  a  spere.     "  Alias,"  sayd 

15  the  knyght,  "I  am  slayne  under  youre  co«duyt  with  a 
knyght  called  Garlon  :  therfor  take  my  hors,  that  is  better 
than  yours,  and  ryde  to  the  damoysel,  and  folowe  the 
quest  that  I  was  in  as  she  wylle  lede  yow,  and  revenge 
my  deth  whan  ye  may."      "That    shalle   I  doo,"  sayd 

20  Balyn,  "and  that  I  make  vowe  unto  knyghthode,"  and  so 
he  departed  from  thys  knyghte  with  grete  sorowe.  Soo 
kyng  Arthur  lete  berye  thys  knyght  rychely,  and  made  a 
mensyon  on  his  tombe  how  there  was  slayne  Herlews  le 
Berbeus,    and   by   whome    the    trechery  was    done,    the 

25  knyght  Garlon.  But  ever  the  damoysel  bare  the  truncheon 
of  the  spere  with  her  that  Syr  Harlews  was  slayn  with  al. 

Capitulum  jiij. 

So  Balyn  and  the  damoysel  rode  in  to  a  forest,  and 

ther  met  with  a  knyght  that  had  ben  on  huntynge,  and 

that  knyght  asked  Balyn  for  what  cause  he  made  so  grete 

30  sorowe.       "  Me    lyst    not   to    telle    yow,"    saide    Balyn. 

"  Now,"  saide  the  knyghte,  "  and  I  were  armed  as  ye  be, 


Chap.  XIII.]        THE  KNIGHT  INVISIBLE.  69 

I  wolde  fyghte  wyth  yow."  "  That  shold  lytel  nede," 
sayd  Balyn  ;  "I  am  not  aferd  to  telle  yow";  and  told 
hym  alle  the  cause  how  it  was.  "A,"  sayd  the  knyght, 
"  is  this  al }  Here  I  ensure  yow  by  the  feithe  of  my  body 
never  to  departe  from  yow  whyle  my  lyf  lasteth."  And  5 
soo  they  wente  to  the  hostry  and  armed  hem,  and  so  rode 
forth  with  Balyn.  And  as  they  came  by  an  heremytage 
even  by  a  chyrche  yerd,  ther  cam  the  knyghte  Garlon 
invysybel  and  smote  thys  knyghte,  Peryn  de  Mounte- 
beliard,  thurgh  the  body  with  a  spere.  "  Alias,"  saide  10 
the  knyghte,  "  I  am  slayne  by  this  traytoure  knyghte  that 
rydeth  invysyble."  "Alias,"  said  Balyn,  "it  is  not  the 
fyrst  despyte  he  hath  done  me."  And  there  the  heremyte 
and  Balyn  beryed  the  knyght  under  a  ryche  stone  and  a 
tombe  royal.  And  on  the  morne  they  fond  letters  of  gold  15 
wryten,  how  Syr  Gaweyn  shalle  revenge  his  faders  deth, 
kynge  Lot,  on  the  kynge  Pellinore. 

Anone  after  this  Balyn  and  the  damoysel  rode  tyl  they 
came  to  a  castel,  and  there  Balyn  alyghte  ;  and  he  and 
the  damoysel  wende  to  goo  in  to  the  castel.  And  anone  20 
as  Balyn  came  within  the  castels  yate  the  portecolys  fylle 
doune  at  his  bak,  and  there  felle  many  men  about  the 
damoysel,  and  wold  have  slayne  her.  Whan  Balyn  sawe 
that,  he  was  sore  agreved,  for  he  myghte  not  helpe  the 
damoysel.  Thanne  he  wente  up  in  to  the  toure,  and  25 
lepte  over  wallys  in  to  the  dyche,  and  hurte  hym  not ; 
and  anone  he  pulled  oute  his  suerd  and  wold  have 
fou^//ten  with  hem.  And  they  all  sayd  nay,  they  wold 
not  fyghte  with  hym,  for  they  dyd  no  thyng  but  thold 
custome  of  the  castel,  and  told  hym  how  her  lady  was  30 
seke,  and  had  layne  many  yeres,  and  she  myghte  not  be 
hole  but  yf  she  had  a  dysshe  of  sylver  ful  of  blood  of  a 
clene  mayde  and  a  kynges  doughter;  and  therfore  the 
custome  of  this  castel  is,  there  sballc  no  damoysel  passe 


70  LE  MORTE   DARTHUR.  [Book  II. 

this  way  but  she  shal  blede  of  her  blood  in  a  sylver 
dysshe  ful.  "Wei,"  said  Ealyn,  "she  shal  blede  as 
moche  as  she  may  blede,  but  I  wille  not  lese  the  lyf  of 
her  whyles  my  lyf  lasteth."  And  soo  Balyn  made  her  to 
5  blede  by  her  good  will,  but  her  blood  halpe  not  the  lady. 
And  so  he  and  she  rested  there  al  nyght,  and  had  there 
ryght  good  chere,  and  on  the  morn  they  passed  on  their 
wayes.  And  as  it  telleth  after  in  the  Sangraylle  that 
Syre  Percyvalis  syster  halpe  that  lady  with  her  blood, 
10  wherof  she  was  dede. 

Capitulum  i*iii|. 

Thenne  they  rode  thre  or  foure  dayes  and  never  mette 
with  adventure,  and  by  happe  they  were  lodged  with  a 
gentyll  man  that  was  a  ryche  man  and  well  at  ease.  And 
as  they  sat  at  her  souper  Balyn  herd  over  complayne 

15  grevously  by  hym  in  a  chayer.  "  What  is  this  noyse  ?  " 
said  Balen.  "  Forsothe,"  said  his  boost,  "I  wylle  telle 
yow.  I  was  but  late  att  a  justynge,  and  there  I  justed 
with  a  knyghte  that  is  broder  unto  kynge  Pellam,  and 
twyes  smote  I  hym  doune ;  and  thenne  he  prornysed  to 

20  quyte  me  on  my  best  frynde,  and  so  he  wounded  my 
sone,  that  can  not  be  hole  tyll  I  have  of  that  knyghtes 
blood,  and  he  rydeth  alwey  invysyble,  but  I  knowe  not 
!iis  name."  "  A,"  sayd  Balyn,  "  I  knowe  that  kn3'ght,  his 
name  is  Garlon,  he  hath  slayne  two  knyghtes  of  myn  in 

25  the  same  maner,  therfor  I  had  lever  mete  with  that  knyght 
than  alle  the  gold  in  this  realme,  for  the  despyte  he  hath 
done  me."  "  Wei,"  said  his  ooste,  "  I  shalle  telle  yow, 
kynge  Pellam  of  Lystyneyse  hath  made  do  crye  in  all  this 
countrey  a  grete  feest  that  shal  be  within  these  xx  dayes, 

30  and  no  knyght  may  come  ther  but  yf  he  brynge  his  wyf 
wyth  hym  or  his  peramour,  and  that  kny^/^te,  youre  enemy 


Chap.  XIV.]  BALIN  SLAYS   GARLON.  71 

and  myn,  ye  shalle  see  that  daye."  "  Thenne  I  behote 
yow,"  sayd  Balyn,  "  parte  of  his  blood  to  hele  youre  sone 
with  alle."  "  We  wille  be  forward  to  morne,"  sayd  his 
oost. 

So  on  the  morne  they  rode  all  thre  toward  Pellam,  and  5 
they  had  xv  dayes  journey  or  they  cam  thyder;   and  that 
same  day  began  the  greete  feeste.     And  soo  they  alyght 
and  stabled  theyr  horses,  and  went  in  to  the  castel,  but 
Balyns  oost  myght  not  be  lete  in  by  cause  he  had  no 
lady.     Thenne  Balyn  was  wel  receyved,  and  brought  unto  lo 
a  chamber  and  unarmed  hym,  and  there  were  brought 
hym  '■obes  to  his  pleasyr,  and  wold  have  had  Balen  leve 
his  swerd  behynde  hym.     "  Nay,"  sayd  Balen,  "  that  doo 
I  not,  for  it  is  the  customme  of  my  countrey  a  knyghte 
alweyes  to  kepe  his  wepen  with  hym,  and  that  customme  15 
wylle  I  kepe,  or  els  I  wyll  departe  as  I  cam."    Thenne 
they  gaf  hym  leve  to  were  his  swerd,  and  so  he  wente 
unto    the    castel,    and    was    sette    amonge    knyghtes    of 
worship,  and  his  lady  afore  hym.      Soone  Balyn  asked  a 
knyght,  "  Is  ther  not  a  knyghte  in  this  court  whos  name  20 
is  Garlon  ?  "      "Yonder   he   goth,"   sayd  a  knyght,   "he 
with  the  blak  face  ;  he  is  the  merveyllest  kny<^V/t  that  is 
now  lyvyng,  for  he  destroyeth  many  good  knyghtes,  for 
he  goth  invysyble."     "  A,  wel,"  said  Balen,  "  is  that  he }  " 
Thenne  Balyn  avysed  hym  long :  —  "  Yf  I  slee  hym  here  25 
I  shall  not  scape,  and  yf  I  leve  hym  now  peraventur  I 
shalle  never  mete  with  hym  ageyne  at  suche  a  steven, 
and  moche  harme  he  wille  doo  and  he  lyve."     Ther  with 
this  Garlon   aspyed   that   this    Balen   behelde  hym,  and 
thenne  he  came  and  smote  Balyn  on  the  face  with  the  3° 
Ijak  of  his  hand,  and  sayd,  "  Kny^Vit,  why  beholdest  thow 
me  so  ?     For  shame  !  therfor  ete  thy  mete  and  doo  that 
thow  cam  for."    "  Thow  sayst  sothe,"  said  Balyn,  "this  is 
•ict  the  fyrst  despyte  thnt  thow  hast  done  me,  and  therfor 


72  LE   MORTE   D ARTHUR.  [Book  II. 

I  will  doo  that  I  cam  for";  and  rose  up  fyersly  and  clave 
his  hede  to  the  sholders.  "  Gyve  me  the  truncheon," 
sayd  Balyn  to  his  lady,  "  where  with  he  slewe  your 
knyghte."  Anone  she  gaf  it  hym,  for  alwey  she  bare  the 
5  troncheon  with  her.  And  therwith  Balyn  smote  hym 
thurgh  the  body,  and  sayd  openly,  "  With  that  truncheon 
thow  hast  slayn  a  good  knyghte,  and  now  it  stycketh  in 
thy  body."  And  thenne  Balyn  called  unto  hym  his  boost, 
sayenge,  "  Now  may  ye  fetche  blood  ynough  to  hele  your 
lo  sone  with  all." 

Capttulum  jv. 

Anone  all  the  knyghtes  aroos  from  the  tabyl  for  to  set 
on  Balyn,  and  kynge  Pellam  hym  self  aroos  up  fyersly, 
and  sayd,  "  Kny^V/t,  hast  thow  slayn  my  broder  1  thow 
shalt  dye  therfor  or  thou  departe."     "Wei,"  said  Balen, 

15  "  do  it  your  self."  "  Yis,"  sayde  kyng  Bella;;/,  "  ther  shall 
no  ma;/  have  ado  with  the  but  my  self  for  the  love  of  my 
broder."  Thenne  kyng  Pellam  cau^//t  in  his  hand  a  grym 
wepen  and  smote  egrely  at  Balyn,  but  Balyn  put  his  swerd 
betwixe  his  hede  and  the  stroke,  and  therwith  his  swerd 

20  brest  in  sonder.  And  whan  Balyn  was  wepenles  he 
ranne  in  to  a  chamber  for  to  seke  somme  wepen,  and  soo 
fro  chamber  to  chamber,  and  no  wepen  he  coude  fynde, 
and  alweyes  kynge  Pellam  after  hym.  And  at  the  last  he 
entryd  in  to  a  chambyr  that  was  merveillously  wel  dy^//te 

25  and  rychely,  and  a  bedde  arayed  with  clothe  of  gold,  the 
rychest  that  myghte  be  thought,  and  one  lyenge  theryn  ; 
and  therby  stode  a  table  of  clene  gold  with  four  pelours 
of  sylver  that  bare  up  the  table,  and  upon  the  table  stood 
a  merveillous  spere  straungely  wrought.     And  whan  Balyn 

30  sawe  that  spere  he  gat  it  in  his  hand,  and  torned  hym  to 
kyng  Pellam,  and   smote  hym  passyngly  sore  with  that 


Chap.  XVI.]        THE  DOLOROUS  STROKE.  73 

spere,  that  kynge  Pellam  felle  doune  in  a  swoune ;  and 
therwith  the  castel  roofe  and  wallys  brake  and  fylle  to  the 
erthe,  and  Balyn  felle  doune  so  that  he  myghte  not  stere 
foote  nor  hand.  And  so  the  moost  parte  of  the  castel 
that  was  falle  doune  thorugh  that  dolorous  stroke  laye  5 
upon  Pellam  and  Balyn  thre  dayes. 

Capitulum  jvj. 

Thenne  Merlyn  cam  thyder  and  toke  up  Balyn  and 
gat  hym  a  good  hors,  for  his  was  dede,  and  bad  hyni  ryde 
oute  of  that  countrey.     "  I  wold  have  my  damoysel,"  sayd 
Balyn.     "  Loo,"  sayd  Merlyn,  "  where   she   lyeth   dede."  10 
And  kynge  Pellam  lay  so  many  yeres  sore  w^ounded,  and 
myght  never  be  hole  tyl  Galahad,  the  haute  prynce,  heled 
hym  in  the  quest  of  the  Sangraille  ;  for  in  that  place  was 
part  of  the  blood  of  our  Lord  Jhesu  Cryst  that  Joseph  of 
Armathe  broughte  in  to  this  lond,  and  ther  hym  self  lay  15 
in  that  ryche  bed.     And  that  was  the  same  spere  that 
Longeus    smote    oure    Lorde   to   the   herte ;    and   kynge 
Pellam   was   nyghe   of  Joseph  kynne,  and  that  was  the 
moost  worshipful  man  that  lyved  in  tho  dayes,  and  grete 
pyte  it  was  of  his  hurte,  for  thorow  that  stroke  torned  to  20 
grete  dole,  tray,  and  tene. 

Thenne  departed  Balyn  from  Merlyn  and  sayd,  "  In 
this  world  we  mete  never  nomore."  Soo  he  rode  forth 
thorowe  the  fayr  countreyes  and  cytees,  and  fond  the 
peple  dede,  slayne  on  every  syde.  And  alle  that  were  on  25 
lyve  cryed,  "  O  Balyn,  thow  hast  caused  grete  dommage 
in  these  cowtrayes  for  the  dolorous  stroke  thow  gavest 
unto  kynge  Pellaw ;  thre  countreyes  are  destroyed,  and 
doubte  not  but  the  vengeaunce  wil  falle  on  the  at  the 
last."  Whanne  Balyn  was  past  tho  contrayes  he  was  30 
passyng  fayne.     So  he  rode  ey^//t  dayes  or  he  met  with 


74  LE  MORTE  D ARTHUR.  [Book  II. 

aventure.  And  at  the  last  he  came  in  to  a  fayr  forest  in 
a  valey,  and  was  ware  of  a  toure.  And  there  besyde  he 
sawe  a  grete  hors  of  werre  taj'cd  to  a  treee,  and  ther 
besyde  satte  a  fayr  knyght  on  the  ground  and  made  grete 
5  mornynge,  and  he  was  a  lykely  man  and  a  wel  made. 
Balyn  sayd,  "  God  save  yow,  why  be  ye  so  hevy?  telle  me 
and  I  wylle  amende  it,  and  I  may  to  my  power."  "  Syr 
knyghte,"  said  he  ageyne,  "  thow  doest  me  grete  gryef, 
for  I  was  in  mery  thoughtes,  and  now  thou  puttest  me  to 

lo  more  payne."  Balyn  wente  a  lytel  from  hym,  and  loked 
on  his  hors ;  thenne  herd  Balyn  hym  saye  thus :  "  A, 
fair  lady,  why  have  ye  broken  my  promyse  ?  for  thow 
promysest  me  to  mete  me  here  by  none,  and  I  maye  curse 
the  that  ever  ye  gaf  me  this  swerd,  for  with  this  swerd  I 

15  slee  my  self,"  and  pulled  it  oute  ;  and  therwith  Balyn 
sterte  unto  hym  and  took  hym  by  the  hand.  "  Lete  goo 
my  hand,"  sayd  the  knyght,  "or  els  I  shal  slee  the." 
"That  shal  not  nede,"  said  Balyn,  "for  I  shal  promyse 
yow^  my  helpe  to  gete  yow  your  lady,  and  ye  wille  telle  me 

20  where  she  is."  "  What  is  your  name  ?  "  sayd  the  knyght. 
"  Myn  name  is  Balyn  le  Saveage,"  "  A,  syr,  I  knowe 
yow  wel  ynough  ;  ye  are  the  knyght  with  the  two  swerdys, 
and  the  man  of  moost  prowesse  of  your  handes  lyvyng." 
"  What    is    your    name  ? "    sayd    Balen.      "  My  name    is 

25  Garnysshe  of  the  Mount,  a  poure  mans  sone,  but  by  my 
prowesse  and  hardynesse  a  duke  hath  maade  me  knyght, 
and  gaf  me  landes  :  his  name  is  duke  Hermel,  and  his 
doughter  is  she  that  I  love,  and  she  me  as  I  demed." 
"  Hou  fer  is  she  hens  ?"  sayd  Balyn.     "But  xj   myle," 

30  said  the  knyghte,  "  Now  ryde  we  hens,"  sayde  these  two 
knyghtes.  So  they  rode  more  than  a  paas  tyll  that  they 
cam  to  a  fayr  castel,  wel  wallyd  and  dyched.  "  I  wylle  in 
to  the  castel,"  sayd  Balcn,  "and  loke  yf  she  be  ther." 
Soo  he  w-ente  in  and  serched  fro  chamber  to  cha^bir,  and 


Chap.  XVII.]        THE  FAITHLESS  LADY.  75 

fond  her  bedde,  but  she  was  not  there.  Thenne  Balen 
loked  in  to  a  fayr  litil  gardyn,  and  under  a  laurel  tre  he 
sawe  her  lye  upon  a  quylt  of  grene  samyte,  and  a  knyght 
in  her  amies,  fast  halsynge  eyther  other,  and  under  their 
hedes  grasse  and  herbes.  Whan  Balen  sawe  her  lye  so  5 
with  the  fowlest  knyghte  that  ever  he  sawe,  and  she  a  fair 
lady,  thenne  Balyn  wente  thurgh  alle  the  chambers 
ageyne,  and  told  the  knyghte  how  he  fond  her  as  she 
had  slepte  fast,  and  so  brought  hym  in  the  place  there 
she  lay  fast  slepynge.  lo 

Capitulum  vo\\. 

And  whan  Garnyssh  beheld  hir  so  lyeng,  for  pure  sorou 
his  mouth  and  nose  brast  oute  on  bledynge,  and  with  his 
swerd  he  smote  of  bothe  their  hedes,  and  thenne  he 
maade  sorowe  oute  of  mesure,  and  sayd,  "  O  Balyn, 
moche  sorow  hast  thow  brought  unto  me,  for  haddest  15 
thow  not  shewed  me  that  syght  I  shold  have  passed  my 
sorow."  "  Forsoth,"  said  Balyn.  "  I  did  it  to  this  entent 
that  it  sholde  better  thy  courage,  and  that  ye  myght  see 
and,  knowe  her  falshede,  and  to  cause  yow  to  leve  love  of 
suche  a  lady  :  God  knoweth  I  dyd  none  other  but  as  I  20 
wold  ye  dyd  to  me."  "  Alias  !  "  said  Garnysshe,  "  now  is 
my  sorou  doubel  that  I  may  not  endure.  Now  have  I 
slayne  that  I  moost  loved  in  al  mylyf";  and  therwith 
sodenly  he  roofe  hym  self  on  his  own  swerd  unto  the 
hyltys.  When  Balen  sawe  that,  he  dressid  hym  thens  25 
ward,  lest  folke  wold  say  he  had  slayne  them,  and  so  he 
rode  forth.  And  within  thre  dayes  he  cam  by  a  crosse, 
and  theron  were  letters  of  gold  wryte«  that  said  :  "  It  is 
not  for  no  knyght  alone  to  ryde  toward  this  castel." 
The/me  sawe  he  an  old  hore  gentylman  comyng  toward  30 
hym    that  sayd,  "  Balyn    le    Saveage,  thow    passyst    thy 


76  LE   iMORTE  D ARTHUR.  [Book  II. 

bandes  to  come  this  waye,  tlierfor  tome  ageyne  and  it 
will  availle  the."  And  he  vanysshed  aweyanone;  and 
soo  he  herd  an  home  blowe  as  it  had  ben  the  dethe  of  a 
best.  "That  blast,"  said  Balyn,  "is  blowen  for  me,  for 
5  I  am  the  pryse  and  yet  am  I  not  dede."  Anone  with  al 
he  sawe  an  hondred  ladyes  and  many  knyghtes  that 
welcommed  hym  with  fayr  semblaunt,  and  made  hym 
passyng  good  chere  unto  his  syght,  and  ledde  hym  in  to 
the  castel,  and  ther  was  daunsynge  and  mynstralsye  and 

lo  alle  maner  of  joye.  Thenne  the  chyef  lady  of  the  castel 
said,  "  Knyghte  with  the  two  suerdys,  ye  must  have  adoo 
and  juste  with  a  knyght  hereby  that  kepeth  an  iland,  for 
ther  may  no  man  passe  this  way  but  he  must  juste  or  he 
passe."     "That  is  an  unhappy  customme,"  said  Balyn, 

15  "that  a  knyght  may  not  passe  this  wey  but  yf  he  juste." 
"Ye  shalle  not  have  adoo  but  with  one  knyghte,"  sayd 
the  lady.  "  Wei,"  sayd  Balyn,  "  syn  I  shalle,  therto  I  am 
redy,  but  traveillynge  men  are  ofte  wery,  and  their  horses 
to ;  but  though  my  hors  be  wery,  my  hert  is  not  wery.     I 

20  wold  be  fayne  ther  my  deth  shold  be."  "  Syr,"  said  a 
knyght  to  Balyn,  "  me  thynketh  your  sheld  is  not  good,  I 
wille  lene  yew  a  byggar  ;  therof  I  pray  yow."  And  so  he 
tooke  the  sheld  that  was  unknowen  and  lefte  his  owne, 
and  so  rode  unto  the  iland,  and  put  hym  and  his  hors  in 

25  a  grete  boote.  And  whan  he  came  on  the  other  syde  he 
met  with  a  damoysel,  and  she  said,  "  O  knyght  Balyn, 
why  have  ye  lefte  your  owne  sheld .'  alias !  ye  have  put 
your  self  in  grete  daunger,  for  by  your  sheld  ye  shold 
have  ben  knowen  :  it  is  grete  pyte  of  yow  as  ever  was  of 

30  knyght,  for  of  thy  prowesse  and  hardynes  thou  hast  no 
felawe  lyvynge."  "  Me  repenteth,"  said  Balyn,  "  that  ever 
I  cam  within  this  countrey,  but  I  maye  not  torne  now 
ageyne  for  shame,  and  what  aventure  shalle  falle  to  me, 
be  it  lyf  or  dethe,  I  wille  take  the  adventure  that  shalle 


Chap.  XVIIL]    BALIX  IIGHTS    IVJTH  BALAN.  77 

come  to  me."  And  thenne  he  loked  on  his  armour,  and 
understood  he  was  wel  armed,  and  therwith  blessid  hym 
and  mounted  upon  his  hors. 

Capitulum  jviij. 

Thenne  afore  hym  lie  sawe  come  rydynge  oute  of  a 
castel  a  knyght,  and  his  hors  trapped  all  reed,  and  hym     5 
self  in  the  same  colour.     Whan  this  knyghte  in  the  reed 
beheld  Balyn,  hym  thought  it  shold  bee  his  broder  Balen 
by  cause  of  his  two  swerdys,  but  by  cause  he  knewe  not 
his  sheld  he  demed  it  was  not  he.     And  so  they  aventryd 
theyr  speres  and  came  merveillously  fast  to  gyders,  and  10 
they  smote  other  in  the  sheldes,  but  theire  speres  and 
theire  cours  were  soo  bygge  that  it  bare  doune  hors  and 
man,  that  they  lay  bothe  in  a  swoun.      But  Balyn  was 
brysed  sore  with  the  falle  of  his  hors,  for  he  was  wery  of 
travaille.     And  Balan  was  the  fyrst  that  rose  on  foote,  15 
and  drewe  his  swerd  and  wente  toward   Balyn,  and  he 
aroos  and  wente  ageynst  hym.     But  Balan  smote  Balyn 
fyrste,  and  he  put  up  his  shelde  and  smote  hym  thorow 
the  shelde  and  tamyd  his  helme.     Thenne  Balyn  smote 
hym  ageyne  with  that  unhappy  swerd,  and  wel  nyghe  had  20 
fellyd  his  broder  Balan,  and  so  they  fought  ther  to  gyders 
tyl  theyr  brethes  faylled.     Thenne  Balyn  loked  up  to  the 
castel,  and  sawe  the  towres  stand  ful  of  ladyes.     Soo  they 
went  unto  bataille  ageyne,  and  wounded  everyche  other 
dolefully,  and  thenne  they  brethed  oftymes,  and  so  wente  25 
unto  bataille,  that  alle  the  place  there  as  they  fought  was 
blood  reed.     And  att  that  tyme  ther  was  none  of  them 
bothe  but  they  hadde  eyther  smyten  other  seven  grete 
woundes,  so  that  the  lest  of  them  my^V/t  have  ben  the 
dethe  of  the  myghtyest  gyaunt  in  this  world.     Thenne  30 
they  wente  to  batail  ageyn  so  m.erveillously  that  doubte  it 


78  LR   MOKTE   D ARTHUR.  [Hour   II. 

was  to  here  of  that  bataille  for  the  grete  blood  shedynge. 
And  their  hawberkes  unnailled,  that  nr  ked  they  were  on 
every  syde.  Atte  last  Balan,  the  yonger  broder,  with- 
drewe  hym  a  lytel  and  leid  hym  doune.  Thenne  said 
5  Balyn  le  Saveage,  "  What  knyghte  arte  thow  ?  for  or  now 
I  found  never  no  VxvjghX  that  matched  me."  "  My  name 
is,"  said  he,  "  Balan,  broder  unto  the  good  knyght  Balyn." 
"Alias!"  sayd  Balyn,  "that  ever  I  shold  see  this  day"; 
and  therwith  he  felle  backward  in   a  swoune.      Thenne 

lo  Balan  yede  on  al  four,  feet  and  handes,  and  put  of  the 
helme  of  his  broder,  and  myght  not  knowe  hym  by  the 
vysage,  it  was  so  ful  hewen  and  bledde ;  but  whan  he 
awoke  he  sayd,  "  O  Balan,  my  broder,  thow  hast  slayne 
me  and  I  the,  wherfore  alle  the  wyde  world  shalle  speke 

15  of  us  bothe."  "Alias!"  sayd  Balan,  "that  ever  I  sawe 
this  day,  that  thorow  myshap  I  myght  not  knowe  yow  ; 
for  I  aspyed  wel  your  two  swerdys,  but  by  cause  ye  had 
another  shild  I  demed  ye  had  ben  another  kny^//t." 
"  Alias ! "    saide    Balyn,   "  all    that    maade    an    unhappy 

20  knyght  in  the  castel,  for  he  caused  me  to  leve  myn  owne 
shelde  to  our  bothes  destruction,  and  yf  I  my^//t  lyve  I 
wold  destroye  that  castel  for  ylle  customes."  "That 
were  wel  done,"  said  Balan,  "  for  I  had  never  grace  to 
departe    fro    hem    syn   that    I    cam    hyther ;    for   here   it 

25  happed  me  to  slee  a  knyght  that  kepte  this  iland,  and 
syn  myght  I  never  departe,  and  nomore  shold  ye,  broder, 
and  ye  myght  have  slayne  me  as  ye  have,  and  escaped 
your  self  with  the  lyf."  Ryght  so  cam  the  lady  of  the 
toure  with  iiij  knyghtes  and  vj  ladyes  and  vj  yomen  unto 

30  them,  and  there  she  herd  how  they  made  her  mone  eyther 
to  other,  and  sayd,  "  We  came  bothe  oute  of  one  tombe, 
that  is  to  say,  one  moders  bely,  and  so  shalle  we  lye 
bothe  in  one  pytte."  So  Balan  prayd  the  lady  of  her 
gentylnesse  for  his  true  servyse  that  she  wold  burye  them 


Chap.   XIX.]     J>ALIN  AND   BALAX  SLAIN.  79 

bothe  in  that  same  place  there  the  bataille  was  done ; 
and  she  graunted  hem  with  wepynge  it  shold  be  done 
rychely  in  the  best  maner.  "  Now  wille  ye  sende  for  a 
preest  that  we  may  receyve  our  sacrament  and  receyve 
the  blessid  body  of  our  Lord  Jliesu  Cryst  ?  "  "  Ye,"  said  5 
the  lady,  "  it  shalle  be  done."  And  so  she  sente  for  a 
preest  and  gaf  hem  her  ryghtes.  "  Now,"  sayd  Balen, 
'"  whan  we  are  buryed  in  one  tombe,  and  the  mensyon 
made  over  us  how  ij  bretheren  slewe  eche  other,  there 
wille  never  good  knyght  nor  good  man  see  our  tombe  but  10 
they  wille  pray  for  our  soules."  And  so  alle  the  ladyes 
and  gentylwymen  wepte  for  pyte.  Thenne  anone  Balan 
dyed,  but  Balyn  dyed  not  tyl  the  mydnyghte  after.  And 
so  were  they  buryed  bothe,  and  the  lady  lete  make  a 
mensyon  of  Balan  how  he  was  ther  slayne  by  his  broders  15 
handes,  but  she  knewe  not  Balyns  name. 

Capitulum  jij. 

In  the  morne  cam  Merlyn  and  lete  wryte  Balyns  name 
on  the  tombe  with  letters  of  gold  that,  "  Here  lyeth  Balyn 
le  Saveage,  that  was  the  VwyghX  with  the  two  swerdes, 
and  he  that  smote  the  dolorous  stroke."  Also  Merlyn  20 
lete  make  there  a  bedde,  that  ther  shold  never  man  lye 
therin  but  he  wente  oute  of  his  wytte,  yet  Launcelot  de 
Lake  fordyd  that  bed  thorow  his  noblesse.  And  anone 
after  Balyn  was  dede,  Merlyn  toke  his  swerd  and  toke  of 
the  pomel,  and  set  on  an  other  pomel.  So  Merlyn  bad  a  25 
knyght  that  stode  afore  hym  handekP  that  swerd,  and  he 
assayed,  and  he  myght  not  handle  hit.  Thenne  Merlyn 
lough.  "  Why  laugh  ye  ?  "  said  the  knyghte.  "  This  is 
the  cause,"  said  Merlyn.  "  ther  shalle  never  man  handle 
this  suerd  but  the  best  knvght    of   the  world,  and   that  30 

1  Read  haiidle. 


80  LE   MORTE   I) ARTHUR. 

shalle  be  Syr  Launcelot  or  els  Galahad  his  sone  ;  and 
Launcelot  with  this  suerd  shalle  slee  the  man  that  in  the 
world  he  loved  best,  that  shalle  be  Syr  Gawayne."  Alle 
this  he  lete  wryte  in  the  pomel  of  the  swerd. 
5  Thenne  Merlyn  lete  make  a  brydge  of  yron  and  of  stele 
in  to  that  iland,  and  it  was  but  half  a  foote  brode,  and 
there  shalle  never  man  passe  that  brydge  nor  have 
hardynes  to  goo  over  but  yf  he  were  a  passyng  good  man 
and  a  good  knyght,  withoute  trechery  or  vylonye.     Also 

10  the  scaubard  of  Balyns  swerd,  Merlyn  lefte  it  on  this  syde 
of  the  iland  that  Galahad  shold  fynde  it.  Also  Merlyn 
lete  make  by  his  subtylyte  that  Balyns  swerd  was  put  in 
a  marbel  stone  standyng  up  ryght  as  grete  as  a  mylle 
stone,  and  the  stone  hoved  al  weyes  above  the  water,  and 

15  dyd  many  yeres,  and  so  by  adventure  it  swam  doun  the 
streme  to  the  cyte  of  Camelot,  that  is  in  Englysshe 
Wynchestre,  and  that  same  day  Galahad  the  haute 
prynce  came  with  kyng  Arthur,  and  soo  Galahad  broughte 
wyth  hym  the  scaubard,  and  encheved  the  swerde  that 

20  was  there  in  the  marbel  stone,  hovynge  upon  the  water. 
And  on  Whytsonday  he  encheved  the  swerd,  as  it  is 
reherced  in  the  book  of  Sawcgrayll.  Soone  after  this 
was  done  Merlyn  came  to  kyng  Arthur  and  told  hym  of 
the  dolorous  stroke  that  Balyn  gaf  to  kyng  Pellam,  and 

25  how  Balyn  and  Balan  foughte  to  gyders  the  merveillous 
batail  that  ever  was  herd  of,  and  how  they  were  buryed 
bothe  in  one  tombe.  "  Alias  !  "  said  kyng  Arthur,  "  this 
is  the  grettest  pyte  that  over  I  herd  telle  of  two  kny<^//tes, 
for  in  the  world  I  knowe  not  suche  t"'o  knyghtes."     Thus 

30  endeth  the  tale  of  Balyn  and  of  Balan,  two  bretheren 
born  in  Northumberland,  good  kni^/ites. 


THE    TALE    OE    THE   SAXCGREAL.  81 

Hn^  bere  tolowctb  tbe  noble  tale  ot  tbe 
Sanecjreal  tbat  ealle^  is  tbe  boolv?  vessel 
an^  tbe  sPonet\Kacv?ou  of  tbe  blessi&  bloo^ 
of  our  lor^  5besu  CrY|ste/blessi^  mote  it  be/ 
tbe  wbicbe  was  broucibt  \\\  to  tbis  lan&  bi^ 
^osepb  of  Brmatbv?e/tberfor  q\\  al  svnful 
souls  blessiD  lort)  bave  tbou  mercy. 


Bjpliclt  liber  jij 

Bt  iucipit  H)ccimustercius 

Capitulum  primum. 

At  the  Vygyl  of  Pentecost,  whan  alle  the  felauship  of 
the  Round  Table  were  comen  unto  Camelot,  and  there 
herd  their  servyse,  and  the  tables  were  set  redy  to  the 
mete,  ry^//te  so  entryd  in  to  the  halle  a  ful  fayre  gentyl- 
5  woman  on  horsbak,  that  had  ryden  ful  fast,  for  her  hors 
was  al  besuette.  Thenne  she  there  alyght,  and  came 
before  the  kynge,  and  salewed  hym ;  and  he  said, 
"Damoysel,  God  the  blysse."  "Sire,"  said  she,  "for 
Goddes  sake  saye  me  where  Syr  Launcelot  is."    "  Yonder 

10  ye  may  see  hym,"  said  the  kynge.  Thenne  she  wente 
unto  Launcelot  and  said,  "  Syr  Launcelot,  I  salewe  yow 
on  kyng  Pelles  behalf,  and  I  requyre  yow  come  on  with 
me  here  by  in  to  a  forest."  Thenne  Syr  Launcelot  asked 
her  with   whome    she    dwelled.      "  I   dwelle,"  said   she, 

15  "with  kynge  Pelles."  "What  wille  ye  with  me?"  said 
Launcelot.  "  Ye  shal  knowe,"  said  she,  "  whanne  ye 
come  thyder."  "  Wei,"  sayd  he,  "  I  wille  gladly  goo  with 
yow."  So  Syr  Launcelot  badde  his  squyer  sadel  his  hors 
and  brynge  his  armes,  and  in  all  hast  he  dyd  his  com- 

20  maundement.  Thenne  came  the  quene  unto  Lauwcelot 
and  said,  "  Wille  ye  leve  us  at  this  hyhe  feest  ? " 
"  Madame,"  said  the  gentylwoman,  "  wete  ye  wel  he  shal 
be  with  yow  to  morn  by  dyner  tyme."  "  Yf  I  wyst,"  said 
the  quene,  "  that  he  shold  not  be  with  us  here  to  morne, 

25  he  shold  not  goo  with  you  by  my  good  wylle." 

Ryght  soo  departed  Sir  Launcelot  with  the  gentyl- 
woman, and  rode  untyl  that  he  came  in  to  a  foreste,  and 
in  to  a  grete  valey,  where  they  sawe  an  abbay  of  nonnes, 


LAUACELOT  KXIGHTS   GALAHAD.  83^ 

and  there  was  a  squyer  redy,  and  opened  the  gates ;  and 
soo  they  entryd  and  descended  of  their  horses.  And 
there  came  a  fayr  felauship  aboute  Sir  Lau«celot,  and 
welcomed  hym,  and  were  passyng  gladde  of  his  comynge. 
And  thenne  they  ladde  hym  unto  the  abbesse  chamber,  5 
and  unarmed  hym,  and  ryght  soo  he  was  ware  upon  a  bed 
lyeng  two  of  his  cosyris,  Syr  Bors  and  Sir  Lyonel,  and 
thenne  he  waked  them,  and  whanne  they  sawe  hym  they 
mad  grete  joye.  "  Syr,"  said  Syre  Bors  unto  Syr 
Launcelot,  "what  adventure  hath  brought  yow  hydder  ?  lo 
for  we  wende  to  morne  to  have  fond  you  at  Camelot." 
"  As  God  me  help,"  said  Syr  Launcelot,  "  a  gentylwoman 
brought  me  hyther,  but  I  knowe  not  the  cause." 

In  the  meane  whyle  that  they  thus  stode  talkynge  to 
gyder,  therin  came  twelve  nonnes  that  broughte  with  hem  15 
Galahad,  the  whiche  was  passynge  fayre  and  wel  made, 
that    unneth   in   the   world    men    myghte   not   fynde   his  ' 
matche  ;  and  alle  tho  ladyes  wepte.     "  Sire,"  sayd  they 
alle,   "  we   brynge   yow   here   thys   child,  the  whiche   we 
have    nourisshed,   and   we   praye  yow  to   make    hym    a  20 
knyght,  for  of  a  more  worthyer  mans  hande  may  he  not 
receyve  the  ordre  of  knyghthode."     Sir  Launcelot  beheld 
the  yonge  squyer,  and  sawe  hym  semely  and  demure  as  a 
douve,  with  alle  maner  of  good  fetures,  that  he  wende  of 
his  age  never  to  have  sene  soo  fayre  a  man  of  forme.  25 
Thenne  said  Sir  Launcelot,  "  Cometh  this  desyre  of  hym 
self?"     He  and  alle  they  sayd,  "  Ye."     "Thenne  shalle 
he,"  sayd  Sir  Launcelot,  "  receyve   the  hyghe  ordre  of 
knyghthode   as    to   morne   atte   reverence  of  the   hyghe 
feeste."      That  nyght  Syr  Launcelot  had  passyng  good  30 
chere ;   and  on  the   morne   at  the   houre   of  pryme,  att 
Galahalts  desyre,  he  made  hym  kny^/^t,  and  said,  "  God 
make  hym  a  good  man,  for  of  beaute  fayleth  yow  not  as 
ony  that  lyveth." 


84  LE  MOKTE   J)AR-JJJUR.  [Book  XITI. 


Capitulum  Sccun&um. 

"Now,  fayre  syr,"  said  Syr  Launcelot,  "  wille  ye  come 
wyth  me  unto  the  courte  of  kynge  Arthur?"  "Nay," 
sayd  he,  "  I  wille  not  goo  with  yow  as  at  this  tyme." 
Thenne  he  departed  fro  them,  and  took  his  two  cosyns 
5  with  hym,  and  so  they  cam  unto  Camelot  by  the  houre  of 
undorn  on  Whytsonday.  By  that  tyme  the  kynge  and 
the  quene  were  gone  to  the  mynster  to  here  their  servyse. 
Thenne  the  kynge  and  the  quene  were  passyng  gladde  of 
Sir  Bors  and  Syr  Lyonel,  and  soo  was  alle  the  felauship. 

lo  So  when  the  kyng  and  all  the  kny^//tes  were  come  from 
servyse,  the  barons  aspyed  in  the  syeges  of  the  Round 
Table  al  aboute  wryten  with  golden  letters,  "  Here  owghl 
to  sytte  he,  and  he  oughte  to  sytte  here."  And  thus  they 
wente  soo  longe  tylle  that  they  came  to  the  Sege  Perillous, 

15  where  they  fond  letters  newely  wreton  of  gold  whiche 
said  :  "  iiij  C  wynters  and  liiij  accomplysshed  after  the 
passion  of  oure  Lord  Jhesu  Criste  owghx.^  this  sege  to  be 
fulfylled."  Thenne  alle  they  said,  "This  is  a  merveyllous 
thynge  and  an  adventurous."     "  In  the  name  of  God," 

20  said  Syr  Launcelot,  and  thenne  accompted  the  terme  of 
the  wrytynge  from  the  byrthe  of  oure  Lord  unto  that  day. 
"  It  semeth  me,"  saith  Syr  Launcelot,  "  this  sege  oughte 
to  be  fulfylled  this  same  day,  for  this  is  the  feest  of 
Pentecost  after  the  four  honderd  and  four  and  fyfty  yere ; 

25  and  yf  it  wold  please  all  partyes  I  wold  none  of  these 
letters  were  sene  this  daye  tyl  he  be  come  that  oughte  to 
encheve  this  adventure."  Thenne  maade  they  to  ordeyne 
a  clothe  of  sylke  for  to  cover  these  letters  in  the  Sege 
Peryllous.      Thenne  the  kyng  badde  haste   unto  dyner. 

30  "  Sire,"  sayd  Sir  Kay  the  steward,  "  yf  ye  goo  now  unto 
your  mete  ye  shalle   breke  your  old  customme  of  your 


Chap.  II.]        THE  SWORD   IN  THE  STONE.  85 

courte ;  for  ye  have  not  used  on  this  day  to  sytte  at  your 
mete  or  that  ye  have  sene  som  adventure."  "  Ye  say 
sothe,"  said  the  kynge,  "  but  I  had  soo  grete  joye  of  Sir 
Launcelot  and  of  his  cosyns,  whiche  be  come  to  the 
courte  hole  and  sound,  so  that  I  bethoughte  me  not  of  5 
myne  old  customme." 

Soo  as  they  stode  spekyng,  in  cam  a  squyer,  and  said 
unto  the  kyng,  "  Sire,   I  brynge    unto    yow    merveillous 
tydynges."      "  What   be    they  ?  "  said    the    kyng.     "  Sir, 
there  is  here  bynethe  at  the  ryver  a  grete  stone  whiche  I  10 
sawe  flete  above  the  water,  and  therin  I  sawe  styckyng  a 
swerd."     The  kynge  sayde,  "  I  wille  see  that  merveill."  ■. 
Soo  all  the  knyghtes  went  with  hym.     And  whanne  they 
came  unto  the  ryver  they  fonde  there  a  stone  fletyng,  as 
hit  were  of  reed  marheV  and  therin  stack  a  fair  ryche  15 
swerd,  and    in   the  pomel   therof  were  precyous   stones 
wrought  with  subtyle  letters  of  gold.     Thenne  the  barons 
redde  the  letters,  whiche  said  in  this  wyse :  "Never  shalle 
man  take  me  hens  but  only  he  by  whos  syde  I  ought  to 
hange,  and  he  shalle  be  the  best  knyght  of  the  world."  20 
Whanne  the  kynge  had  sene  the  letters  he  said  unto  Sir 
Launcelot,  "  Fair  sire,  this  suerd  ought  to  be  yours,  for  I 
am  sure  ye  be  the  best  knyght  of  the  world."     Thenne 
Syr  Launcelot  ansuerd  ful  soberly,  "  Certes,  sir,  it  is  not 
my  swerde  ;  also,  sir,  wete  ye  wel  I  have  no  hardynes  to  25 
sett  my  hande  to,  for  hit  longed  not  to  hange  by  my  syde. 
Also  who  that  assayeth  to  take  the  swerd  and  fayleth  of 
hit,  he  shalle   receyve  a  wound  by  that  swerd  that   he 
shalle  not  be  hole  longe  after.     And  I  wille  that  ye  wete 
that  this  same  day  shall  the  adventures  of  the  Sancgreal,  30 
that  is  called  the  hooly  vessel,  begynne." 

^  Read  marbel. 


86  LE  MORTE   D ARTHUR.  [Book  XIII. 


Capitulum  iij. 

"  Now,  fayre  nevewe,"  said  the  kynge  unto  Syr  Gawayn, 
"  assaye  ye  for  my  love."  "Sir,"  he  said,  "  sauf  your 
good  grace,  I  shalle  not  doo  that."  "  Sir,"  sayd  the 
kynge,  "  assaye  to  take  the  suerd  and  at  my  commaunde- 
5  ment."  "  Syre,"  sayd  Gawayne,  "  your  commaundement 
I  wille  obeye";  and  ther  with  he  took  up  the  suerd  by 
the  handels,  but  he  myghte  not  stere  hit.  "  I  thanke 
yow,"  said  the  kynge  to  Syre  Gawayne.  "  My  lord  Syr 
Gawayne,"  said  Syr  Lau;/celot,  "  now  wete  ye  wel,  this 

10  swerd  shalle  touche  yow  soo  sore,  that  ye  shalle  wylle  ye 
had  never  sette  your  hand  therto  for  the  best  castel  of 
this  realme."  "  Syr,"  he  sayd,  "  I  myghte  not  withsay 
myn  unkels  wyll  and  commaundement."  But  whanne 
the  kynge  herd  this,   he  repented  hit  moche,  and  said 

15  unto  Syr  Percy val  that  he  shold  assaye  for  his  love;  and 
he  said,  "  Gladly,  for  to  here  Syr  Gawayn  felaushyp." 
And  there  with  he  sette  his  hand  on  the  swerd  and  drewe 
hit  strongly,  but  he  myghte  not  meve  hit.  Thenne  were 
there  moo  that  durste  be  soo  hardy  to  sette  theire  handes 

20  therto.  "  Now  maye  ye  goo  to  your  dyner,"  said  Syr  Kay 
unto  the  kynge,  "for  a  merveillous  adventure  have  ye 
sene." 

Soo   the  kynge   and  alle  wente  unto  the  courte,  and 
every  knyghte   knewe    his    owne    place,  and    sette    hym 

25  therin,  and  yonge  men  that  were  knyghtes  served  them. 
Soo  whan  they  v/ere  served,  and  alle  seges  fulfylled  sauf 
only  the  Syege  Perillous,  anon  there  befelle  a  merveillous 
adventure,  that  alle  the  dores  and  wyndowes  of  the  palays 
shut  by  them  self.      Not  for  thenne  the   halle   was   not 

30  gretely  darked,  and  there  with  they  abasshed  both  one 
and  other.     Thenne  kynge  Arthur  spak  fyrst,  and  sayd, 


Chap.  IV.]  THE  SEAT  PERILOUS.  87 

"  By  God,  fayre  felawes  and  lordes,  we  have  sene  this 
daye  merveyls,  but  or  nyght  I  suppose  we  shal  see  gretter 
merveyls."  In  the  meane  whyle  came  in  a  good  old 
man,  and  an  auncyent,  clothed  al  in  whyte,  and  there 
was  no  VxvjghX.  knewe  from  whens  he  came.  And  with  5 
hym  he  broughte  a  yong  kny^//t,  bothe  on  foote,  in  reed 
armes,  withoute  swerd  or  sheld,  sauf  a  scauberd  hangynge 
by  his  syde.  And  these  wordes  he  said,  "  Pees  be  with 
yow,  faire  lordes."  Thenne  the  old  man  sayd  unto 
Arthur,  "  Syre,  I  brynge  here  a  yonge  knyghte  the  whiche  10 
is  of  kynges  lygnage  and  of  the  kynrede  of  Joseph  of 
Abarimathye,^  where  by  the  merveylles  of  thys  courte  and 
of  straunge  realmes  shalle  be  fully  accomplysshed." 

Capitulum  (Siuartum. 

The  kynge  was  ryghte  gladde  of  his  wordes,  and  said 
unto  the  good  man,  "  Syr,  ye  be  ryghte  welcome,  and  the  15 
yonge  kny^//te  with  yow."  Thenne  the  old  man  made 
the  yong  man  to  unarme  hym  ;  and  he  was  in  a  cote  of 
reed  sendel,  and  bare  a  mantel  upon  his  sholder  that  was 
furred  with  ermyn,  and  put  that  upon  hym.  And  the  old 
knyghte  sayd  unto  the  yonge  knyght,  "  Syr,  foloweth  me."  20 
And  anone  he  ledde  hym  unto  the  Sege  Peryllous,  where 
besyde  sat  Syr  Lau;/celot,  and  the  good  man  lyfte  up  the 
clothe,  and  fonde  there  letters  that  said  thus  :  "  This  is 
the  sege  of  Galahalt  the  haute  prynce."  "  Sir,"  said 
thold  knyghte,  "  wete  ye  wel  that  place  is  yours."  And  25 
thenne  he  sett  hym  doune  surely  in  that  syege.  And 
thenne  he  sayd  to  the  old  man,  "  Syr,  ye  maye  now  goo 
your  way,  for  wel  have  ye  done  that  ye  were  commaunded 
to  doo  ;  and  recommaunde  me  unto  my  graunt  sir  kynge 
Pelles,  and  unto  my  lord  Petchere,  and  say  hem  on  my  30 

'  Read  Armuihye. 


88  LE   MORTE   D ARTHUR.  [I^oo^^  X^II- 

behalf,  I  shalle  come  and  see  hem  as  soone  as  ever  I 
may."  Soo  the  good  man  departed,  and  there  met  hym 
XX  noble  squyers,  and  so  took  their  horses  and  wente 
their  way.     Thenne  alle  the  knyghtes  of  the  Table  Round 

5  merveylled  gretely  of  Sir  Galahalt  that  he  durst  sytte 
there  in  that  Syege  Perillous,  and  was  soo  tendyr  of  age, 
and  wist  not  from  whens  he  came,  but  al  only  by  God, 
and  said,  "  This  he  by  whome  the  Sawcgreal  shal  be 
encheved,  for  there   sat  never  none  but  he^  were  mes- 

lo  cheved."     Thenne  Syr  Launcelot  beheld  his  sone,  and 

^^  had  grete  joye  of  hym.  Thenne  Bors  told  his  felawes, 
"  Upon  payne  of  my  lyf  this  yonge  knyghte  shalle  come 
unto  grete  worship." 

This  noyse  was  grete  in  alle  the  courte,  soo  that  it  cam 

15  to  the  queue.  Thenne  she  had  merveylle  what  knyght  it 
myght  be  that  durste  aventure  hym  to  sytte  in  the  Syege 
Peryllous.  Many  said  unto  the  queue,  he  resembled 
moche  unto  Sire  Launcelot.  "  I  may  wel  suppose,"  said 
the  quene,  "that  Syr  Launcelot  begatte  hym  on  kynge 

20  Pelles  doughter,  by  the  whiche  he  was  made  to  lye  by,  by 
enchauntement,  and  his  name  is  Galahalt.  I  wold  fayne 
see  hym,"  said  the  quene,  "for  he  must  nedes  be  a  noble 
man,  for  soo  is  his  fader  that  hym  begat ;  I  reporte  me 
unto  alle  the  Table  Round."     So  whanne  the  mete  was 

25  done,  that  the  kynge  and  alle  were  rysen,  the  kynge  yede 
unto  the  Syege  Peryllous  and  lyfte  up  the  clothe,  and 
fonde  there  the  name  of  Galahad,  and  thenne  he  shewed 
hit  unto  Syr  Gawayne,  and  sayd,  "  Fayre  nevewe,  now 
have  we  amonge  us  Syr  Galahad,  the  good  knyght  that 

30  shalle  worshippe  us  alle,  and  upon  payne  of  my  lyf  he 

shal  encheve  the  Sancgreal,  ryght  as  Sir  Launcelot  had 

done  us  to  understande."      Thenne  came   kyng   Arthur 

unto  Galahad  and  said,  "  Syr,  ye  be  welcome,  for  ye  shall 

1  Caxton  repeats  but  he.     Cf .  note. 


Chap.  V.]         GALAHAD   AXD    THE   SWORD.  89 

meve  many  good  knyghtes  to  the  quest  of  the  Sancgreal, 
and  ye  shal  encheve  that  never  knyghtes  myght  brynge 
to  an  ende."  Thenne  the  kynge  took  hym  by  the  hand, 
and  wente  doune  from  the  paleis  to  shewe  Galahad  the 
adventures  of  the  stone. 


Capitulum  v>. 

The  quene  herd  therof,  and  came  after  with  many 
ladyes,  and  shewed  hem  the  stone  where  it  hoved  on  the 
water.  "  Sire,"  said  the  kyng  unto  Syre  Galahad,  "  here 
is  a  grete  merveylle  as  ever  I  sawe,  and  ryght  good 
knyghtes  have  assayed  and  fayled."  "  Syre,"  said  lo 
Galahad,  "  that  is  no  merveil,  for  this  adventure  is  not 
theirs,  but  myne,  and  for  the  seurte  of  this  swerd  I 
brought  none  with  me ;  for  here  by  my  syde  hangeth  the 
scauberd."  And  anone  he  layd  his  hand  on  the  swerd, 
and  lyghtly  drewe  it  oute  of  the  stone,  and  putte  it  in  the  15 
shethe,  and  said  unto  the  kynge,  "  Now  hit  goth  better 
than  hit  dyd  afore  hand."  "Sir,"  said  the  kynge,  "a 
sheld  God  shalle  send  you."  "  Now  have  I  that  swerd  that 
somtyme  was  the  good  knyghtes  Balyn  le  Saveage,  and 
he  was  a  passynge  good  man  of  his  handes.  And  with  20 
this  suerd  he  slewe  his  broder  Balan,  and  that  was  grete 
pyte,  for  he  was  a  good  knyghte,  and  eyther  slewe  other 
thorou  a  dolorous  stroke  that  Balyn  gaf  unto  my  grau//te 
fader  kynge  Pelles,  the  whiche  is  not  yet  hole,  nor  not 
shal  be  tyl  I  hele  hym."  25 

There  with  the  kynge  and  all  aspyed  where  came 
rydynge  doune  the  ryver  a  lady  on  a  whyte  palfroy 
toward  them.  Thenne  she  salewed  the  kynge  and  the 
quene,  and  asked  yf  that  Syr  Launcelot  was  there.  And 
thenne  he  ansuerd  hym  self,  "  I  am  here,  fayre  lady."  30 
Thenne   she    sayd    al    with   wepynge,   "  How   your   grete 


90  LE  MORTE   D ARTHUR.  [Book  XIII. 

doynge  is  chaunged  syth  this  day  in  the  morne." 
"  Damoysel,  why  say  ye  soo  ?  "  sayd  Launcelot.  "  I  saye 
yow  sothe,"  said  the  damoysel,  "  for  ye  were  this  day  the 
best  knyghte  of  the  world,  but  who  shold  saye  soo  now  he 
5  shold  be  a  lyar,  for  there  is  now  one  better  than  ye.  And 
wel  hit  is  preved  by  the  adventurrs'  of  the  suerd  where  to 
ye  durste  not  sette  to  your  hand,  and  that  is  the  chaunge 
and  levynge  of  your  name ;  wherfore  I  make  unto  yow  a 
remembraunce,  that  ye  shalle  not  wene  from  hensforth 

10  that  ye  be  the  best  knyght  of  the  world."  "As  touchynge 
unto  that,"  said  Launcelot,  "  I  knowe  wel  I  was  never  the 
best."  "  Yes,"  sayd  the  damoysel,  "  that  were  ye  and  are 
yet  of  ony  synful  man  of  the  world.  And,  sir  kyng, 
Nacyen  the  heremyte  sendeth  the  word  that  the  shalle 

15  befalle  the  grettest  worship  that  ever  befelle  kynge  in 
Brytayne,  and  I  say  yow  wherfore ;  for  this  daye  the 
Sancgreal  appiered  in  thy  hows,  and  fedde  the  and  all 
thy  felaushyp  of  the  Round  Table."  Soo  she  departed 
and  wente  that  same  way  that  she  came. 

Capitulum  \>j. 

20  "  Now,"  sayd  the  kyng,  "  I  am  sure  at  this  quest  of  the 
Sa«cgreal  shalle  alle  ye  of  the  Table  Rounde  departe,  and 
never  shalle  I  see  yow  ageyne  hole  to  gyders ;  therfor  I 
wille  see  yow  alle  hole  to  gyders  in  the  medowe  of 
Camelot,  to  juste  and  to  torneye,  that  after  your  dethe 

25  men  maye  speke  of  hit,  that  suche  good  knyghtes  were 
holy  to  gyders  suche  a  day."  As  unto  that  counceyll 
and  at  the  kynges  request  they  accorded  alle,  and  toke 
on  their  harneis  that  longed  unto  justynge,  but  alle  this 
mevynge   of  the   kyng  was    for  this   entent,   for  to   see 

30  Galahalt   preved ;    for  the   kynge   demed    he    shold    not 

1  Sic. 


Chap.  VII.]     GALAHAD   AND    THE   QUEEN:  91 

lyghtly  come  ageyne  unto  the  courte  after  his  departynge. 
So  were  they  assembled  in  the  medowe  bothe  more  and 
lasse.  Thenne  Syr  Galahalt,  by  the  prayer  of  the  kynge 
and  the  quene,  dyd  upon  hym  a  noble  jesseraunce,  and 
also  he  dyd  on  hys  helme,  but  shelde  wold  he  take  none  s 
for  no  prayer  of  the  kyng.  And  thenne  Sir  Gawayne 
and  other  knyghtes  praid  hym  to  take  a  spere.  Ryghte 
SCO  he  dyd  ;  and  the  quene  was  in  a  toure  with  alle  her 
ladyes  for  to  behold  that  turnement.  Thenne  Sir  Gala- 
halt  dressid  hym  in  myddes  of  the  medowe,  and  began  to  lo 
breke  speres  merveyllously,  that  all  men  had  wonder  of 
hym,  for  he  there  surmounted  alle  other  kny^/;tes ;  for 
within  a  whyle  he  had  defouled  many  good  knyghtes  of 
the  Table  Round,  sauf  tweyne,  that  was  Syr  Launcelot 
and  Sire  Percy  vale.  15 

Capitulum  v>ij. 

Thenne  the  kyng,  at  the  queues  request,  made  hym  to 
alyghte  and  to  unlace  his  helme,  that  the  quene  va^ghl 
see  hym  in  the  vysage.  Whanne  she  beheld  hym  she 
sayd,  "  Sothely,  I  dar  wel  say  that  Sir  Launcelot  begat 
hym,  for  never  two  men  resembled  more  in  lykenes,  20 
therfor  it  nys  no  merveyle  though  he  be  of  grete 
prowesse."  So  a  lady  that  stode  by  the  quene  said, 
"  Madame,  for  Goddes  sake  oughte  he  of  ryghte  to  be  so 
good  a  knyghte  ?  "  "  Ye,  forsothe,"  said  the  quene,  "  for 
he  is  of  alle  partyes  come  of  the  best  knyghtes  of  the  25 
world,  and  of  the  hyhest  lygnage,  for  Sir  Launcelot  is 
come  but  of  the  viij  degre  from  oure  Lord  Jhesu  Cryst, 
and  Syre  Galahalt  is  of  the  nynthe  degree  from  oure 
Lord  Jhesu  Cryst ;  therfor  I  dar  saye  they  be  the  grettest 
gentilmen  of  the  world.''  30 

And  thenne  the  kynge  and  al  estates  wente  home  unto 


92  LE  MO  RTF.    DAR71IUR.  [Book  XIII. 

Catnelot,  and  soo  wente  to  evensonge  to  the  grete  mynster ; 
and  soo  after  upon  that  to  souper,  and  every  kny^//t  sette 
in  his  owne  place  as  they  were  to  fore  hand.  Thenne 
anone  they  herd  crakynge  and  cryenge  of  thonder  that 

5  hem  thought  the  place  shold  alle  to  dryve.  In  the 
myddes  of  this  blast  entred  a  sonne  beaume  more  clerer 
by  seven  tymes  than  ever  they  sawe  daye,  and  al  they 
were  alyghted  of  the  grace  of  the  Holy  Ghoost.  Thenne 
beganne  every  knyghte  to  behold  other,  and  eyther  sawe 

ID  other  by  theire  semynge  fayrer  than  ever  they  sawe  afore. 
Not  for  thenne  there  was  no  knyght  myghte  speke  one 
word  a  grete  whyle,  and  soo  they  loked  every  man  an^ 
ocher,  as  they  had  ben  dome.  Thenne  ther  entred  in  to 
the  halle  the  Holy  Graile  coverd  with  whyte  samyte,  but 

15  ther  was  none  myghte  see  hit,  nor  who  bare  hit.  And 
there  was  al  the  halle  fulfylled  with  good  odoures,  and 
every  kny^//t  had  suche  metes  and  drynkes  as  he  best 
loved  in  this  world.  And  whan  the  Holy  Grayle  had  be 
borne  thurgh  the  halle,  thenne  the  holy  vessel  departed 

20  sodenly,  that  they  wyste  not  where  hit  becam.  Thenne 
had  they  alle  brethe  to  speke  ;  and  thenne  the  kynge 
yelded  thankynges  to  God  of  his  good  grace  that  he  had 
sente  them.  "  Certes,"  said  the  kynge,  "  we  oughte  to 
thanke  oure  Lord  Jhesu  gretely  for  that  he  hath  shewed 

25  us  this  daye  atte  reverence  of  this  hyhe  feest  of  Pente- 

i  cost."     "Now,"  said  Sir  Gawayn,  "we  have  ben  served 

this  daye  of  what  metes  and  drynkes  we  thoughte  on,  but 

one  thynge  begyled   us ;    we   myght  not  see  the    Holy 

Grayle,  it  was  soo  precyously  coverd  :  wherfor  I  wil  make 

30  here  avowe,  that  to  morne,  withoute  lenger  abydyng,  I 
shall  laboure  in  the  quest  of  the  Sancgreal ;  that  I  shalle 
hold  me  oute  a  twelve  moneth  and  a  day  or  more  yf  nede 
be,  and  never  shalle  I  retorne  ageyne  unto  the  courte  tyl 

1  Read  on. 


Chap.  VI 1 1.]     THE   COMING  OF  THE   GRAIL.  93 

I  have  sene  hit  more  openly  than  hit  hath  ben  sene  here. 
And  yf  I  may  not  specie,  I  shall  retorne  ageyne  as  he  that 
maye  not  be  ageynst  the  wil  of  our  Lord  Jhesu  Cryste." 
Whan  they  of  the  Table  Round  herde  Syr  Gawayne  saye 
so,  they  arose  up  the  most  party  and  maade  suche  avowes  5 
as  Sire  Gawayne  had  made. 

Anone  as  kynge  Arthur  herd  this  he  was  gretely  dys- 
pleasyd,  for  he  wyste  wel  they  myghte  not  ageyne  saye 
theyre  avowes.  "  Alias,"  said  kynge  Arthur  unto  Sir 
Gawayn,  "  ye  have  nyghe  slayne  me  with  the  avowe  and  10 
promesse  that  ye  have  made  ;  for  thurgh  yow  ye  have 
berafte  me  the  fayrest  felauship  and  the  truest  of  knyght- 
hode  that  ever  were  sene  to  gyders  in  ony  realme  of  the 
world ;  for  whanne  they  departe  from  hens,  I  am  sure 
they  alle  shalle  never  mete  more  in  thys  world,  for  they  15 
shalle  dye  many  in  the  quest.  And  soo  it  forthynketh 
me  a  lytel,  for  I  have  loved  them  as  wel  as  my  lyf,  wher- 
for  hit  shall  greve  me  ryghte  sore,  the  departycyon  of 
this  felauship,  for  I  have  had  an  old  customme  to  have 
hem  in  my  felauship."  20 

Capitulum  ©ctaviim. 

And  ther  with  the  teres  fylle  in  his  eyen  ;  and  thenne 
he  sayd,  "  Gawayne,  Gawayne,  ye  have  sette  me  in  grete 
sorowe,  for  I  have  grete  doubte  that  my  true  felauship 
shalle  never  mete  here  more  ageyne."  "  A,"  sayd  Syr 
Launcelot,  "  comforte  your  self,  for  hit  shalle  be  unto  us  25 
a  grete  honour,  and  moche  more  than  yf  we  dyed  in  ony 
other  places,  for  of  deth  we  be  syker."  "  A,  Lau«celot," 
said  ///e  kyng,  '"  ///e  grete  love  tha\.  I  have  had  unto  you 
al  the  dayes  of  my  lyf  maketh  me  to  say  suche  dolefull 
wordes ;  for  never  Crysten  kynge  had  never  soo  many  30 
worthy  men  at  this  table  as  I  have  had  this  daye  at  the 


94  LE   MOKTE   D ARTHUR.  [Book  XIII. 

Round  Table,  and  that  is  my  grete  sorowe."  Whanne 
the  quenc,  ladyes,  and  gentilwymmen  wyst  these  tydynges, 
they  had  suche  sorowe  and  hevynesse  that  ther  myght  no 
tonge  telle  hit,  for  tho  knyghtes  had  hold  them  in  honour 
5  and  chyerte.  But  amonge  all  othther  quene  Guenever 
made  grete  sorowe.  "  I  merveylle,"  said  she,  "  my  lord 
wold  suffre  hem  to  departe  from  hym."  Thus  was  al  the 
courte  troubled  for  the  love  of  the  departycyon  of  tho 
knyghtes.     And  many  of  tho  ladyes  that  loved  knyghtes 

lo  wold  have  gone  with  her  lovers ;  and  soo  had  they  done, 
had  not  an  old  knyghte  come  amonge  them  in  relygyous 
clothyng,  and  thenne  he  spake  alle  on  hyghe,  and  said, 
"  Fayre  lordes  which  have  sworn  in  the  quest  of  the 
Sancgreal,  thus  sendeth  you  Nacyen  the  heremyte  word, 

15  that  none  in  this  queste  lede  lady  nor  gentylwoman  with 
hym,  for  hit  is  not  to  doo  in  so  hyghe  a  servyse  as  they 
labour  in  ;  for  I  warne  yow  playne,  he  that  is  not  clene 
of  his  synnes  he  shalle  not  see  the  mysteryes  of  our  Lord 
Jhesu  Cryste  " ;  and  for  this  cause  they  lefte  these  ladyes 

20  and  gentylwymmen. 

After  this  the  quene  came  unto  Galahad,  and  asked 
hym  of  whens  he  was,  and  of  what  countrey.  He  told 
her  of  whens  he  was  ;  and  sone  unto  Launcelot,  she  saide 
he  was  :  as  to  that  he  said   neyther  ye   nor  nay.     "  So 

25  God  me  helpe,"  said  the  quene,  "  of  your  fader  ye  nede 
not  to  shame  yow,  for  he  is  the  goodlyest  knyghte  and  of 
the  best  men  of  the  world  comen,  and  of  the  strene,  of 
alle  partyes,  of  kynges.  Wherfore  ye  oughte  of  ryghte  to 
be  of  your  dedes  a  passynge  good  man,  and  certaynly," 

30  she  said,  "ye  resemble  hym  moche."  Thenne  Syr 
Galahad  was  a  lytel  ashamed,  and  said,  "  Madame,  sythe 
ye  knowe  in  certayne,  wherfore  doo  ye  aske  hit  me  ?  for 
he  that  is  my  fader  shalle  be  knowen  openly,  and  al  by 
tymes."     And  thenne  they  wente  to  reste  them.     And  in 


Chap.  VIII. ]     BEGIXX/XU   OF   THE   QUEST.  95, 

the  honour  of  the  hyhenes  of  Galahad  he  was  ledde  in  to 
kynge  Arthurs  chamber,  and  there  rested  in  his  owne 
bedde.  And  as  soone  as  hit  was  daye  the  kynge  arose, 
for  he  had  no  rest  of  alle  that  nyght  for  sorowe.  Thenne 
he  wente  unto  Gawayne  and  to  Syr  Launcelot,  that  were  5 
arysen  for  to  here  masse.  And  thenne  the  kyng  ageyn 
said,  "  A,  Gawayne,  Gawayne,  ye  have  bitrayed  me ;  for 
never  shal  my  courte  be  amended  by  yow,  but  ye  wille 
never  be  sory  for  me  as  I  am  for  yow."  And  there  with 
the  teres  began  to  renne  doune  by  his  vysage.  And  10 
there  with  the  kyng  said,  "  A,  knyghte  Syr  Launcelot,  I 
requyre  the  thow  counceyle  me,  for  I  wold  that  this  quest 
were  undone  and  it  myghte  be."  "  Syr,"  sayd  Syr 
Launcelot,  "  ye  sawe  yesterday  soo  many  worthy  knyghtes 
that  thenne  were  sworne,  that  they  may  not  leve  it  in  no  15 
maner  of  wyse."  "  That  wote  I  wel,"  said  the  kyng, 
"  but  it  shal  so  hevye  me  at  their  departynge  that  I  wote 
wel  there  shal  no  manere  of  joye  remedye  me."  And 
thenne  the  kynge  and  the  quene  wente  unto  the  mynster. 
Soo  anone  Launcelot  and  Gawayne  commaunded  her  men  20 
to  brynge  her  armes.  And  whanne  they  alle  were  armed, 
sauf  her  sheldes  and  her  helmes,  thenne  they  came  to 
theyre  felauship,  whiche  alle  were  redy  in  the  same  wyse 
for  to  goo  to  the  mynster  to  here  their  servyse. 

Thenne  after  the  servyse  was  done,  the  kynge  wolde  25 
wete  how  many  hadde  undertake  the  queste  of  the  Holy 
Grayle,  and  to  accompte  them  he  praid  them  alle. 
Thenne  fond  they  by  the  tale  an  honderd  and  fyfty,  and 
alle  were  knyghtes  of  the  Table  Round.  And  thenne 
they  putte  on  their  helmes  and  departed,  and  recom-  30 
maunded  them  all  holy  unto  the  quene  ;  and  there  was 
wepynge  and  grete  sorowe.  Thenne  the  quene  departed 
in  to  her  chamber  and  helde  her,  that  no  man  shold 
perceyve  her  grete   sorowes.      Whanne   Syre   Launcelot 


96  LK   MO  RTF.    D  ARTHUR.  [Book  XIII. 

myst  the  quene  he  wente  tyl  her  chamber,  and  when  she 
sawe  hym  she  cryed  aloude,  "  O,  Launcelot,  Launcelot, 
ye  have  bitrayed  me  and  putte  me  to  the  deth,  for  to  leve 
thus  my  lord."  "  A,  madame,  I  praye  yow  be  not  dis- 
5  pleased,  for  I  shall  come  ageyne  as  soone  as  I  may  with 
my  worship."  "  Alias,"  sayd  she,  "that  ever  I  sawe  yow, 
but  he  that  suffred  upon  the  crosse  for  alle  mankynde,  he 
be  unto  yow  good  conduyte  and  saufte,  and  alle  the  hole 
felauship."     Ryght  soo  departed  Launcelot,  and  fond  his 

lo  felauship  that  abode  his  comyng.  And  so  they  mounted 
on  their  horses,  and  rode  thorou  the  strete  of  Camelot, 
and  there  was  wepynge  of  ryche  and  poure,  and  the  kyng 
tourned  awey,  and  myghte  not  speke  for  wepynge.  So 
within  a  whyle   they  came  to  a  cyte   and  a  castel   that 

15  hy^/;t  Vagon  ;  there  they  entrid  in  to  the  castel.  And 
the  lord  therof  was  an  old  man  that  hyght  Vagon,  and  he 
was  a  good  man  of  his  lyvynge,  and  sette  open  the  gates, 
and  made  hem  alle  the  chere  that  he  xwyghx..  And  soo 
on  the  morne  they  were   alle  accorded  that  they  shold 

20  departe  everyche  from  other.  And  on  the  morne  they 
departed  with  wepynge  chere,  and  every  kny^//t  took  the 
way  that  hym  lyked  best. 

Capitulum  ij. 

Now  rydeth  Galahalt  yet  withouten  shelde,  and  so  rode 
four  dayes  without  ony  adventure.      And  at  the  fourth 

25  day  after  evensonge  he  came  to  a  whyte  abbay,  and  there 
was  he  receyved  with  grete  reverence,  and  ledde  unto  a 
chambre,  and  there  was  he  unarmed.  And  thenne  was 
he  ware  of  knyghtes  of  the  Table  Round  ;  one  was  Sir 
Bagdemagus  and   Syr  Uwayne.     And  whanne  they  sawe 

30  hym  they  wente  unto  Galahad,  and  made  of  hym  grete 
solace,  and  soo  they  wente   unto   souper.     "  Sirs,"  said 


Chap.  IX.]  GALAHAD'S  SHIELD.  97 

Sire  Galahalt,  "  what  adventure  broughte  yow  hyder  ?  " 
"  Sir,"  they  sayd  all,  "  it  is  told  us  that  within  this  place 
is  a  shelde  that  no  man  may  here  aboute  his  neck  but  he 
be  mescheved  outher  dede  within  thre  dayes,  or  maymed 
for  ever."  "  A,  syr,"  said  kyng  Bagdemagus,  "  I  shalle  5 
bere  hit  to  morne  for  to  assay  this  adventure."  "  In  the 
name  of  God,"  sayd  Galahad.  "  Sire,"  said  Bagdemagus, 
"  and  I  may  not  encheve  the  adventure  of  this  shelde,  ye 
shalle  take  hit  upon  yow,  for  I  am  sure  ye  shalle  not 
fayle."  "  Sir,"  said  Galahad,  "  I  ryghte  wel  agree  me  10 
therto,  for  I  have  no  shelde."  Soo  on  the  morne  they 
aroos  and  herd  masse.  Thenne  Bagdemagus  asked 
where  the  adventurous  sheld  was.  Anone  a  monke  ledde 
hym  behynde  an  aulter  where  the  shelde  henge  as  whyte 
as  ony  snowe,  but  in  the  myddes  was  a  reed  crosse.  15 
"  Sirs,"  said  the  monke,  "  this  sheld  oughte  not  to  be 
hanged  aboute  no  knyghtes  neck  but  he  be  the  worthyest 
knyghte  of  the  world  ;  therfore  I  counceylle  yow  knyghtes 
to  be  wel  advysed."  "  Wel,"  said  Bagdemagus,  "  I  wote 
wel  I  am  not  the  lest^  knyghte  of  the  world,  but  I  shal  20 
assay  to  bere  hit";  and  soo  bare  hit  oute  of  the  mynstre. 
And  the//ne  he  said  unto  Galahad,  "  And  hit  please  you 
to  abyde  here  stil  tyl  that  ye  wete  how  that  I  spede  "  — 
"  I  shalle  abyde  yow,"  sayd  Galahad. 

Thenne  kynge  Bagdemagus  took  with  hym  a  good  25 
squyer  to  beynge^  tydynges  unto  Syr  Galahad  how  he 
spedde.  Thenne  whanne  they  had  ryden  two  myle  and 
came  to  a  fayr  valey  afore  an  hermytage,  and  thenne  they 
sawe  a  knyghte  come  from  that  party  in  whyte  armour, 
hors  and  all.  And  he  came  as  faste  as  his  hors  myghte  30 
renne,  and  his  spere  in  his  reste.  And  Syr  Bagdemagus 
dressid  his  spere  ageynst  hym,  and  brake  hit  upon  the 
whyte  knyght,  but  the  other  stroke  hym  soo  hard  that  he 

^  Read  best.  -  '^  Read  brynge. 


98  LE   MO  RTF.    DARTIIUR.  [Ikn^K  XIII. 

braste  the  mayles,  and  sheef  hyiii  thorou  the  ryght 
sholder ;  for  the  shelde  coverd  hym  not  as  at  that  tyme, 
and  soo  he  bare  hym  from  his  hors.  And  there  with  he 
alyghte  and  took  the  whyte  shelde  from  hym,  sayenge, 
5  "  Knyght,  thow  hast  done  thy  self  grete  foly,  for  this 
shelde  oughte  not  to  be  borne  but  by  hym  that  shalle 
have  no  piere  that  lyveth."  And  thenne  he  came  to 
Bagdemagus  squyer,  and  saide,  "  Bere  this  shelde  unto 
the  good   knyghte   Sir   Galahad,  that  thow  lefte   in   the 

to  abbay,  and  grete  hym  wel  by  me."  "  Sir,"  said  the 
squyer,  "what  is  your  name  ?  "  "  Take  thow  none  hede 
of  my  name,"  said  the  kny^V/te,  "  for  it  is  not  for  the  to 
knowe  nor  for  none  erthely  man."  "  Now,  fayr  syr,"  said 
the  squyer,  "  at  the  reverence  of  Jhesu  Cryste  telle  me 

15  for  what  cause  this  shelde  may  not  be  borne  but  yf  the 
berer  therof  be  meschyeved."  "  Now  sythe  thow  hast 
conjured  me  soo,"  sayd  the  knyghte,  "'  this  shelde 
behoveth  unto  no  man  but  unto  Galahad."  And  ///e 
squyer  we;/t  unto  Bagdemagus  and  asked  whether  he  were 

20  sore  wounded  or  not.  "  Ye,  forsothe,"  said  he,  "  I  shalle 
escape  hard  from  the  dethe."  Thenne  he  fette  his  hors, 
and  brought  hym  with  grete  payne  unto  an  abbay. 
Thenne  was  he  taken  doun  softely,  and  unarmed,  and 
leid  in  a  bedde,  and  there  was  loked   to  his   woundes. 

25  And,  as  the  booke  telleth,  he  laye  there  longe,  and 
escaped  hard  with  the  lyf. 

Capitulum  j, 

"Syr  Galahalt,"  sayd  the  squyer,  "that  knyghte  that 

wounded   Bagdemagus   sendeth  yow  gretynge,   and   bad 

that    ye    shold    bere    this    shelde    where    thurgh    grete 

30  adventures  shold  befalle."     "Now  blessid  be  good^  and 

1  Read  God'^ 


Chai'.  X.]        THE  STORY  OF   THE  SHIELD.  99 

fortune,"  said  Galahad.  And  thenne  he  asked  his  armes, 
and  mounted  upon  his  hors^  and  henge  the  whyte  shelde 
aboute  his  neck,  and  conimaunded  hem  unto  God.  And 
Syr  Uwayne  said  he  wold  bere  hym  felauship  yf  it  pleasyd 
hym.  "  Sir,"  sayd  Galahad,  "  that  maye  ye  not,  for  I  5 
must  goo  alone,  sauf  this  squyer  shall  bere  me  felauship  "; 
and  so  departed  Uwayne. 

Thenne  within  a  whyle  came  Galahad  there  as  the 
whyte  knyght  abode  hym  by  the  heremytage,  and  everyche 
salewed  other  curtoisly.  "Sir,"  said  Galahad,  "  by  this  10 
shelde  ben  many  merveils  fallen."  "  Sir,"  sayd  the 
knyght,  "  hit  befelle  after  the  passion  of  our  Lord  Jhesu 
Crist  xxxij  yere,  that  Joseph  of  Armathye,  the  gentyl 
knyghte  the  whiche  took  doune  oure  Lord  of  the  hooly 
crosse,  att  that  tyme  he  departed  from  Jherusalem  with  a  15 
grete  party  of  his  kynred  with  hym.  And  so  he  laboured 
tyl  that  they  came  to  a  cyte  that  hyght  Sarras ;  and  att 
that  same  houre  that  Joseph  came  to  Sarras  there  was  a 
kynge  that  hyghte  Evelake,  that  had  greto"  werre  ageyne 
the  Sarasyns,  and  in  especyal  ageynste  one  Sarasyn,  the  20 
whiche  was  kyng  Evelaks  cosyn,  a  ryche  kyng  and  a 
myghty,  whiche  marched  nyghe  this  land,  and  his  name 
was  called  Tolleme  la  Feyntes.  Soo  on  a  day  this  two 
mette  to  doo  bataill.  Thenne  Joseph,  the  sone  of  Joseph 
of  Armathye,  wente  to  kynge  Evelake,  and  told  hym  he  25 
shold  be  discomfyt  and  slayne,  but  yf  he  lefte  his  bileve 
of  the  old  lawe  and  byleve  upon  the  newe  lawe.  And 
thenne  there  he  shewed  hym  the  ryght  bileve  of  the  Holy 
Trynyte,  to  the  whiche  he  agreed  unto  with  alle  his  herte  ; 
and  there  this  shelde  was  maade  for  kynge  Evelake  in  30 
the  name  of  hym  that  dyed  upon  the  crosse.  And  thenne 
thurgh  his  good  bileve  he  had  the  better  of  kyng  Tolleme  ; 
for  whanne  Evelake  was  in  the  batail  there  was  a  clothe 

2  Retid  greteT' 


100  LE  MORTE   D ARTHUR.  [Book  XITT. 

sette  afore  the  sheld.  And  whanne  he  was  in  the  grettest 
perylle  he  lete  putte  awaye  the  clothe,  and  thenne  his 
enemyes  sawe  a  fygur  of  a  man  on  the  crosse,  where 
thurgh  they  alle  were  discomfyte.  And  soo  it  befelle 
5  that  a  man  of  kynge  Evelaks  was  smyten  his  hand  of,  and 
bare  that  hand  in  his  other  hand.  And  Joseph  called 
that  man  unto  hym,  and  badde  hym  goo  with  good 
devocyon  touche  the  crosse.  And  as  soone  as  that  man 
had  touched  the  crosse  with  his  hand,  it  was  as  hole  as 

lo  ever  hit  was  to  fore.  Thenne  soone  after  there  felle  a 
grete  merveyll,  that  the  crosse  of  the  sheld  at  one  tyme 
vanysshed  awey,  that  no  man  wyst  where  hit  became. 
And  thenne  kynge  Evelake  was  baptysed,  and  for  the 
moost  party  alle  the  peple  of  that  cyte.     So  soone  after 

15  Joseph  wold  departe,  and  kynge  Evelake  wold  goo  with 
hym  whether  he  wold  or  nold.  And  soo  by  fortune  they 
came  in  to  this  land,  that  at  that  tyme  was  called  Grete 
Bretayne,  and  there  they  fond  a  grete  felon  paynym  that 
put  Joseph  in  to  pryson.     And  soo  by  fortune  tydynges 

20  cam  unto  a  worthy  man  that  hyghte  Mondrames,  and  he 
assembled  alle  his  peple  for  the  grete  renomme  he  had 
herde  of  Joseph,  and  soo  he  came  in  to  the  land  of  Grete 
Bretayne,  and  disherited  this  felon  paynym  and  con- 
sumed   hym,    and    ther   with    delyverd    Joseph    oute    of 

25  pryson  ;  and  after  that  alle  the  peple  were  torned  to 
the  Crysten  feithe. 

Capitulum  un^ccimum. 

Not  longe  after  that  Joseph  was  layd  in  his  dedely  bed. 

And  whanne  kynge   Evelake  sawe  that,  he  made  moche 

sorowe,  and  sayd,  '  For  thy  love  I  have  lefte  my  countrey, 

30  and  sythe  ye  shalle  departe  oute  of  this  world  leva  me 

somme    token    of   yours,    that    I    may  thynke    on    you.' 


Chap.  XL]      THE   STORY  OF   THE   SHIELD.  101 

Joseph  said,   "  That  wille  I  doo  ful  gladly.     Now  brynge 
me  your  sheld  that  I  toke  yow  whanne  ye  went  in  to 
bataille  ageynst  kyng  Tolleme.'       Thenne   Joseph  bled 
sore  at  the  nose  so  that  he  my^//t  not  by  no  meane  be 
staunched.     And  therupon  that  sheld  he  made  a  crosse    5 
of  his  owne  blood.      '  Now  may  ye  see  a  remembraunce  i 
that  I  love  yow,  for  ye  shalle  never  see  this  shelde  but  ye 
shal  thynke  on  me,  and  it  shall  be  alweyes  as  fresshe  as 
it  is  now.     And  never  shalle  man  bere  this  sheld  aboute 
his  neck  but  he  shalle  repente  hit,  unto  the  tyme  that  10 
Galahad  the  good  kny^//te  bere  hit ;  and  the  laste  of  my 
lygnage  shal  leve  hit  aboute  his  neck,  that  shall  doo  many 
merveyllous    dedes.'         '  Now,'      sayd    kynge    Evelake, 
'  where  shalle  I  put  this  shelde  that  this  worthy  knyght 
may  have  hit  ? '       '  Ye  shal  leve  hit  there  as  Nacyen  the  15 
heremyte  shal  be  put  after  his  dethe.     For  thydder  shal 
that  good  knyghte  come  the  fyftenth  day  after  that  he 
shal  receyve  the  ordre  of  knyghthode ;  and  soo  that  daye 
that  they  sette  is  this  tyme  that  he  have  his  shelde.     And 
in  the  same  abbay  lyeth  Nacyen  the  heremyte.'  "     And  20 
thenne  the  whyte  knyghte  vanysshcd  away.     Anone,  as 
the   squyer  had  herde   these  wordes,  he  alyghte  of  his 
hakney,  and  kneled  doune  at  Galahads  feet,  and  prayd 
hym  that  he  myghte  goo  with  hym  tyll  he  had  made  hym 
knyghte.      "  Yf  I   wold  not  refuse  yow,  thenne  will  ye  25 
make  me  a  kny^'-//te  ?  "  sayd  the  squyer,  "  and  that  ordre 
by  the  grace  of  God  shal  be  wel  sette  in  me."     Soo  Syr 
Galahad  graunted  hym,   and  tourned    ageyne   unto  the 
abbay  there  they  came  fro,  and  there   men  made  grete 
joye  of  Syr  Galahad.      And  anone  as  he  was  alyghte,  30 
there  was  a  monke  broughte   hym   unto  a  tombe   in   a 
chirche  yerd,  where  that  was  suche  a  noyse  that  who  that 
herd  hit  shold  veryly  nyghe  be  madde  or  lese  his  strengthe  ; 
"  And,  syre,"  they  sayd,  "  we  deuie  hit  is  a  fende." 


102  LE   MOKTE   D ARTHUR.  [Book  XIII. 


Capitulum  jij. 

"  Now  lede  me  thyder,"  sayd  Galahad  ;  and  soo  they 
dyd,  alle  armed  sauf  his  helme.  "  Now,"  sayd  the  good 
man,  "  goo  to  the  tombe  and  lyfte  hit  up."  Soo  he  dyd 
and  herd  a  grete  noyse,  and  pytously  he  sayd  that  alle 
5  men  my^V/te  here  hit,  "  Syr  Galahad,  the  servaunt  of 
Jhesu  Cryste,  come  thou  not  nyghe  me,  for  thow  shalt 
make  me  goo  ageyne  ther  where  I  have  ben  soo  longe." 
But  Galahad  was  no  thynge  affrayed,  but  lyfte  up  the 
stone,  and  there  came  out  so  foul  a  smoke ;  and  after  he 

10  sawe  the  fowlest  fygur  lepe  there  oute  that  ever  he  sawe 
in  the  lykenes  of  a  man,  and  thenne  he  blessid  hym,  and 
wyste  wel  hit  was  a  fende.  Thenne  herd  he  a  voyse  say, 
"  Galahad,  I  see  there  envyronne  aboute  the  so  many 
angels  that  my  power  may  not  dere  the."     Ryght  soo  Syr 

15  Galahad  sawe  a  body  al  armed  lye  in  that  tombe,  and 
besyde  hym  a  swerd.  "'  Now,  fayr  broder,"  sayd  Galahad, 
"  lete  us  remeve  this  body,  for  hit  is  not  worthy  to  lye  in 
this  chircheyerd,  for  he  was  a  fals  Crysten  man."  And 
there  with  they  alle  departed  and  wente  to  the  abbay. 

20  And  anone  as  he  was  unarmed,  a  good  man  cam  and 
sette  hym  doune  by  hym,  and  sayd,  "  Syre,  I  shall  telle 
yow  what  betokeneth  alle  that  ye  sawe  in  the  tombe ;  for 
that  coverd  body  betokeneth  the  duresse  of  the  world  and 
the  grete  synne  that  oure  Lord  fond  in  the  world ;   for 

25  there  was  suche  wretchydnesse  that  the  fader  loved  not 
the  sone,  nor  the  sone  loved  not  the  fader,  and  that  was 
one  of  the  causes  that  oure  Lord  took  flesshe  and  blood 
of  a  clene  mayden  ;  for  oure  synnes  were  so  grete  at  that 
tyme  that  wel  nyghe  all  was  wickednes."     "Truly,"  sayd 

30  Galahad,  "  I  bileve  yow  ryghte  wel."  So  Syre  Galahad 
rested  hym  there  that  nyghte. 


Chap.  XII.]     GALAHAD  KNIGHTS  MELYAS.  103 

And  upon  the  morne  he  made  the  squyer  knyghte,  and 
asked  hym  his  name,  and  of  what  kynred  he  was  come. 
"  Syre,"  sayd  he,  "  men  calleth  me  Melyas  de  Lyle,  and  I 
am  the  sone  of  the  kynge  of  Denmarke."     "Now,  fayre 
sire,"  sayd  Galahad,  "  sythe  that  ye  be  come  of  kynges    5 
and  quenes,  now  loketh  that  knj-ghthode  be  wel  sette  in 
yow,  for  ye  oughte  to  be  a  myrrour  unto  all  chyvalry." 
"Sire,"  sayd    Syre   Melyas,  "  ye   saye   sothe.     But,  syre, 
sythen  ye   have   made   me  a  kny<o-//t,   ye   must  of  ry^//t 
grau«te  me  my  fyrst  desyre  tha\.  is  resonable."     "  Ye  say  10 
soth,"  said  Galahad.     Melyas  said,  "  The;me  that  ye  wil 
sufifre  me  to  ryde  with  yow  in  this  quest  of  the  Sancgreal 
tyl  that  somme  adventure  departe  us."     "  I  graunte  yow, 
sir."    Thenne  men  brought  Syre  Melyas  his  armoure  and 
his  spere  and  his  hors,  and  soo  Syr  Galahad  and  he  rode  15 
forth  all  that  weke  or  they  fond  ony  adventure.      And 
thenne  upon  a  Monday,  in  the  mornyng,  as  they  were 
departed    fro   an   abbay,    they  cam   to   a  crosse   whiche 
departed    two   wayes,    and    in    that    crosse    were    letters 
wryten  that  sayd  thus  :  "  Now,  ye  kn3'ghtes  arraunt,  the  20 
whiche  goth  to  seke  knyghtes  adventurous,  see  here  ij 
wayes;  thai  one  wey  defendeth  the  that  thow  ne  go  tha\. 
way,  for  he  shalle  not  go  oute  of  the  way  ageyne  but  yf 
he  be  a  good  man  and  a  worthy  knyghte.     And  yf  thow 
goo  on  the  lyfte  hand,  thow  shalt  not  lyghtely  there  wynne  25 
prowesse,  for  thow  shalt  in  this  way  be  soone  assayed." 
"  Sir,"  said  Melyas  to  Galahad,  "  yf  hit  lyke  yow  to  suffer 
me  to  take  the  way  on  the  lyft  hand,  telle  me,  for  there  I 
shalle  wel  preve  my  strengthe."     "  Hit  were  better,"  said 
Galahad,  "  ye  rode  not  that  way,  for  I  deme  I  shold  better  30 
escape  in  that  way  than  ye."     "  Nay,  my  lord,   I  praye 
yow  lete  me  have  that  adventure."     "  Take  it  in  Goddes 
name,"  said  Galahad. 


104  LE  MORTE  D ARTHUR.  [Book  XIII. 


Capitulum  jiij. 

And  the«ne  rode  Melyas  in  to  an  old  forest,  and  therin 
he  rode  two  dayes  and  more.  And  thenne  he  came  in  to 
a  fayr  medowe,  and  there  was  a  fayr  lodge  of  bowes. 
And  thenne  he  aspyed  in  that  lodge  a  chayer,  wherin  was 
5  a  crown  of  gold  subtyly  wroughte.  Also  there  were 
clothes  coverd  upon  the  erthe,  and  many  delycious  metes 
sette  theron.  Sir  Melyadas  behelde  this  aventure,  and 
thoughte  hit  merveillous,  but  he  had  no  honger,  but  of 
the  croune  of  gold  he  took  moch  kepe  ;  and  there  with 

lo  he  stouped  doune  and  took  hit  up,  and  rode  his  way  with 
it.  And  anone  he  sawe  a  knyght  came  rydynge  after  hym 
that  sayd,  "  Knyghte,  sette  doune  that  crowne  whiche  is 
not  yours,  and  therfor  defendeth  yow."  Thenne  Syre 
Melyas  blessid  hym,  and  said,  "  Fair  Lord  of  heven,  helpe 

>5  and  save  thy  newe  made  knyght'';  and  thenne  they  lete 
theire  horses  renne  as  fast  as  they  my^//t,  so  that  the 
other  kny^//t  smote  Sir  Melias  thorou  hauberk  and  thorow 
the  lyfte  syde,  that  he  felle  to  the  erthe  nyghe  dede. 
And  thenne  he  took  the  crowne  and  went  his  way,  and 

20  Syr  Melyas  lay  stylle  and  had  no  power  to  stere.  In  the 
meane  whyle  by  fortune  ther  came  Syre  Galahad  and 
fond  hym  there  in  perille  of  dethe.  And  thenne  he  said, 
"  A,  Melyas,  who  hath  wounded  yow  ?  therfor  hit  had 
ben  better  to  have  ryden  the  other  way,"     And  whanne 

25  Sir  Melyas  herd  hym  speke,  "  Syre,"  he  sayd,  "  for  Goddes 
love  lete  me  not  dye  in  this  forest,  but  here  me  unto  the 
abbay  here  besyde,  that  I  may  be  confessyd  and  have  my 
ryghtes."  "  It  shal  be  done,"  said  Galahad,  "but  where 
is  he  that  hath  wounded  yow  ?  "     With  that  Syr  Galahad 

30  herd  in  the  leves  crye  on  hyghe,  "  Knyght,  kepe  the  from 
me."     "  A,   syr,"  said   Melyas,   "  beware,  for  that  is  he 


Chap.  XIII.]         MELYAS  IS    WOUNDED.  105 

that  hath  slayne  me."  Sir  Galahad  ansuerd,  "  Syr 
knyghte,  come  on  your  perylle.'"  Thenne  eyther  dressid 
to  other,  and  came  to  gyder  as  fast  as  their  horses  myghte 
renne ;  and  Galahad  smote  hym  soo  that  hys  spere  wente 
thorou  his  sholder,  and  smote  hym  doune  of  his  hors,  and  s 
in  the  fallyng  Galahadis  spere  brak.  With  that  cam  oute 
another  knyghte  of  the  leves  and  brake  a  spere  upon 
Galahad  or  ever  he  myghte  torne  hym.  Thenne  Galahad 
drewe  oute  his  swerd  and  smote  of  the  lyfte  arme  of  hym, 
soo  that  it  felle  to  the  erthe.  And  thenne  he  fledde,  and  lo 
Sire  Galahad  sewed  fast  after  hym.  And  thenne  he 
torned  ageyne  unto  Syr  Melyas,  and  there  he  alyghte  and 
dressid  hym  softely  on  his  hors  to  fore  hym,  for  the 
truncheon  of  his  spere  was  in  his  body ;  and  Syr  Galahad 
sterte  up  behynde  hym,  and  helde  hym  in  his  armes,  and  15 
soo  broughte  hym  to  the  abbay,  and  there  unarmed  hym, 
and  broughte  hym  to  his  chamber.  And  thenne  he  asked 
his  Saveour.  And  whanne  he  had  receyved  Hym,  he 
said  unto  Syr  Galahad,  "  Syr,  lete  deth  come  whan  it 
pleasyd  hym."  And  there  with  he  drewe  oute  the  20 
truncheon  of  the  spere  oute  of  his  body,  and  thenne  he 
swouned.  Thenne  came  there  an  olde  monke,  whiche 
somtyme  had  ben  a  knyghte,  and  behelde  Syre  Melyas. 
And  anone  he  ransakyd  hym,  and  thenne  he  saide  unto 
Syr  Galahad,  "  I  shal  hele  hym  of  this  wou«de,  by  the  25 
grace  of  God,  within  the  terme  of  seven  wekes."  Thenne 
was  Sir  Galahad  glad  and  unarmed  hym,  and  said  he 
wold  abyde  there  thre  dayes.  And  thenne  he  asked  Syr 
Melyas  how  it  stood  with  hym.  Thenne  he  sayd,  "  He 
was  torned  unto  helpyng,  God  be  thanked !  "  30 


106  LE  MORTE  D ARTHUR.  [Book  XIII. 

Capitulum  silfj. 

"  Now  wylle  I  departe,"  sayd  Galahad,  "  for  I  have 
moche  on  hand,  for  many  good  knyghtes  be  ful  besy 
aboute  hit ;  and  this  knyghte  and  I  were  in  the  same 
quest  of  the  Sancgreal."  "  Sire,"  said  a  good  man,  "for 
5  his  synne  he  was  thus  wounded ;  and  I  merveylle,"  said 
the  good  man,  "  how  ye  durst  take  upon  yow  soo  ryche  a 
thynge  as  the  hyghe  ordre  of  knyghthode  withoute  clene 
confession,  and  that  was  the  cause  ye  were  bytterly 
wounded.      For  the  way  on  the  ry^^t  hand  betokeneth 

10  the  hyghe  way  of  our  Lord  Jhesu  Cryste,  and  the  way  of 
a  good  true  good  lyver.  And  the  other  wey  betokeneth 
the  way  of  synners  and  of  mysbylevers.  And  whanne 
the  devylle  sawe  your  pryde  and  presumpcyon  for  to  take 
yow  in  the  quest  of  the  Sancgreal,  that  made  you  to  be 

15  overthrowen,  for  hit  may  not  be  encheved  but  by  vertuous 
lyvynge.  Also,  the  wrytynge  on  the  crosse  was  a 
sygnyfycacyon  of  hevenly  dedes,  and  of  knyghtly  dedes 
in  Goddes  werkes,  and  no  kny^//tly  dedes  in  worldly 
werkes ;   and  pryde  is  hede  of  alle  dedely  synnes,  that 

20  caused  this  knyghte  to  departe  from  Galahad ;  and  where 
thow  tokest  the  croune  of  gold  thow  synnest  in  covetyse 
and  in  thefte.  Alle  this  were  no  knyghtely  dedes.  And 
this  Galahad,  the  holy  knyghte,  the  whiche  foughte  with 
the  two  knyghtes,  the  two  knyghtes  sygnefyen  the  two 

25  dedely  synnes  whiche  were  holy  in  this  knyghte  Melyas, 
and  they  myghte  not  withstande  yow,  for  ye  are  withoute 
dedely  synne."  Now  departed  Galahad  from  thens,  and 
betaught  hem  alle  unto  God.  Sir  Melyas  sayd,  "  My  lord 
Galahad,  as  soone  as   I   may  ryde   I   shalle  seke  yow." 

30  "  God  send  yow  helthe,"  said  Galahad,  and  soo  toke  his 
hors  and  departed,  and  rode  many  journeyes  forward  and 
backward  as  adventure  wold  lede  hym. 


Chap.  XV.]       THE   CASTLE   OF  MAIDENS.  107 

And  at  the  laste  hit  happend  hym  to  departe  from  a 
place  or  a  castel,  the  whiche  was  named  Abblasoure,  and 
he  hadde  herd  no  masse,  the  whiche  he  was  wonte  ever 
to  here  or  ever  he  departed  oute  of  ony  castel  or  place, 
and  kepte  that  for  a  customme.  Thenne  Syr  Galahad  s 
came  unto  a  montayne  where  he  fond  an  old  chappel,  and 
fond  there  no  body,  for  all  alle  was  desolate,  and  there 
he  kneled  to  fore  the  aulter,  and  besought  God  of 
holsome  counceil.  Soo  as  he  prayd  he  herd  a  voys  that 
sayd,  "  Goo  thow  now,  thou  adventurous  knyghte,  to  the  lo 
Castel  of  Maydens,  and  there  doo  thow  awey  thy^  wycked 
custommes." 

Capitulum  jv» 

Whanne  Syr  Galahad  herd  this  he  thanked  God  and 
toke  his  hors.     And  he  had  not  ryden  but  half  a  myle, 
he  sawe  in  a  valeye  afore  hym  a  stronge  castel  with  depe  15 
dyches,  and   there  ranne  besyde  hit  a  fayr  ryver,  that 
hyghte  Syvarne ;  and  there  he  mette  with  a  man  of  grete 
age,  and  eyther  salewed  other,  and  Galahad  asked  hym 
the  castels  name.     "  Fair  syr,"  said  he,  "  hit  is  the  Castel 
of  Maydens."     "That  is  a  cursyd  castel,"  said  Galahalt,  20 
"  and  alle  they  that  ben  conversaunt  therin,  for  alle  pyte 
is  oute    therof,   and    alle    hardynesse    and   meschyef   is 
therin."     "  Therfor  I  counceyle  yow,  sir  knyght,  to  torne 
ageyne."     "  Sir,"  said  Galahad,  "  wete  yow  wel  I  shalle 
not  tourne  ageyne."     Thenne  loked  Syre  Galahad  on  his  25 
armes  that  noo  thynge  fayled  hym,  and  thenne  he  put  his 
sheld  afore  hym,  and  anone  there  mette  hym  seven  fayr 
maydens,  the  whiche  sayd  unto  hym,  "  Syr  knyghte,  ye 
ryde  here  in  a  grete  foly,  for  ye  have  the  water  to  passe 
over."      "  Why   shold    I    not    passe    the    water  ? "    said  3° 
Galahad.     So  rode  he  awe.y  from  them,  and  mette  with  a 

1  Read  the. 


lOS  LE  MORTE   D ARTHUR.  [Book  XIII. 

squyer  that  said,  "  Knyghte,  tho  knyghtes  in  the  castel 
defyen  yow,  and  defenden  yow,  ye  go  no  farther  tyl  that 
they  wete  what  ye  wolde."  "  Faire  sir,"  saide  Galahad, 
"  I  come  for  to  destroye  the  wycked  custome  of  this 
5  castel."  "'  Sir,  and  ye  wille  abyde  by  that,  ye  shal  have 
ynough  to  doo."  "  Go  yow  now,"  said  Galahad,  "  and 
hast  my  nedes."  Thenne  the  squyer  entryd  in  to  the 
castel.  And  anone  after  there  came  oute  of  the  castel 
seven  knyghtes,  and  all  were  bretheren.     And  whan  they 

10  sawe  Galahad  they  cryed,  "  Knyghte,  kepe  the,  for  we 
assure  the  no  thynge  but  dethe."  "  Why,"  sayd  Galahad, 
"  will  ye  alle  have  adoo  with  me  at  ones  ?  "  "  Ye,"  sayde 
they,  "therto  maist  thow  trust."  Thenne  Galahad  putte 
forth  his  spere,  and  smote  the  formest  to  the  erthe,  that 

15  nere  he  brake  his  neck.  And  there  with  alle  the  other 
smote  hym  on  his  shelde  grete  strokes,  so  that  their 
speres  brake.  Thenne  Syr  Galahad  drewe  oute  his  swerd, 
and  set  upon  hem  soo  hard  that  it  was  merveylle  to  see 
hit,  and  soo  thurgh  grete  force  he  made  hem  to  forsake 

20  the  felde ;  and  Galahad  chased  hem  tyl  they  entryd  in  to 
the  castel,  and  so  passed  \.\wxgh  the  castel  at  another  gate. 
And  there  mette  Syr  Galahad  an  old  man  clothed  in 
relygyous  clothynge,  and  sayd,  "  Sire,  have  here  the 
kayes  of  this  castel."     Thenne  Syr  Galahad  opened  the 

25  gates,  and  sawe  soo  moche  peple  in  the  stretes  that  he 
myghte  not  nombre  them,  and  alle  sayd,  "  Syr,  ye  be 
welcome,  for  longe  have  we  abyden  here  our  delyver- 
aunce."  Thenne  came  to  hym  a  gentylw^man,  and 
sayde,  "  These  knyghtes  be  fledde,  but  they  wille  come 

30  ageyne  this  nyghte,  and  here  to  begynne  ageyn  their 
evylle  customme."  "  What  wille  ye  that  I  shalle  doo  ?  " 
sayd  Galahad.  "  Sir,"  said  the  gentilwoman,  "  that  ye 
send  after  alle  the  knyghtes  hyder  that  hold  their  landes 


Chap.  XV.]     THE  SEVEN  EVIL   KNIGHTS.  109 

of  this  castel,  and  make  hem  to  swere  for  to  use  the 
custommes  that  were  used  here  to  fore  of  olde  tyme." 
"  I  wille  wel,"  said  Galahad,  and  there  she  broughte  hym 
an  home  of  ivory  bou«den  with  gold  rychely,  and  saide, 
"  Sir,  blowe  this  home,  whych  wille  be  herde  two  myle  5 
aboute  this  castel."  Whanne  Syr  Galahad  had  blowen 
the  home  he  set  hym  doune  upon  a  bedde. 

Thenne  came  a  preest  to  Galahad,  and  said,  "  Syr,  hit 
is  past  a  seven  yere  agone  that  these  seven  bretheren 
cam  in  to  this  castel,  and  herberowed  with  the  lord  of  10 
this  castell,  that  hyght  the  duke  Lyanowre,  and  he  was 
lord  of  alle  thys  countrey.     And  whanne  they  aspyed  the 
dukes  doughter,  that  was  a  ful  faire  woman,  thenne  by 
their  fals  covyn  they  made  debate  betwixe  them  self,  and 
the  duke  of  his  goodenes  wold  have  departed  hem;  and  15 
there  they  slewe  hym  and  his  eldest  sone,  and  thenne 
they  took  the  mayden  and  the  tresour  of  the  castel.    And 
thenne  by  grete  force  they  helde  alle  the  knyghtes  of  this 
castel  ageynste  theire  wylle  under  theyre  obeyssaunce, 
and  in  grete  servage  and  truage,  robbynge  and  pyllynge  20 
the  poure  comyn  peple  of  all   that   they  had.      Soo  hit 
happend  on  a  daye  the  dukes  doughter  sayd,  '  Ye  have 
done  unto  me  greete  wronge  to  slee  myn  owne  fader  and 
my  broder,  and  thus  to  holde  our  landes  ;  not  for  thenne,' 
she  sayd,  'ye  shalle  not  holde  this  castel  for  many  yeres,  25 
for  by  one  knyghte  ye  shal  be  overcomen.'     Thus  she 
prophecyed  seven  yeres  agone.     '  Wel,'  said  the  seven 
knyghtes,  '  sythen   ye  say  so,  ther  shal  never  lady  nor 
knyghte  passe  this  castel  but  they  shall  abyde  maulgre 
their  hedes,  or  dye  therfor,  tyl  that  knyghte  be  come  by  30 
whome  we  shalle  lese  this  castel.'      And  therfore  it  is 
called  the  Maydens  Castel,  for  they  have  devoured  many 
maydens."       "  Now,"    said    Galahad,   "  is    she   here   for 
whome    this    castel    was    lost  ?  "      "  Nay,   sir,"  said  the 


no  LE   MORTE  DARTHUR.  [Book  XIII. 

preest,  "she  was  dede  within  these  thre  nyghtes  after 
that  she  was  thus  enforced,  and  sythen  have  they  kepte 
their  yonger  syster,  which  endureth  grete  paynes  with  mo 
other  ladyes." 
5  By  this  were  the  knyghtes  of  the  countray  comen,  and 
thenne  he  made  hem  doo  homage  and  feaute  to  the 
kynges  dou^//ter,  and  sette  hem  in  grete  ease  of  herte. 
And  in  the  morne  ther  came  one  to  Galahad,  and  told 
hym  how  that  Gawayn,  Gareth,  and  Uwayne  had  slayne 
lo  the  seven  bretheren.  "  I  suppose  wel,"  said  Syr  Galahad  ; 
and  took  his  armour  and  his  hors  and  commaunded  hem 
unto  God. 

Capitulum  jv|. 

Now  saith  the  tale,  after  Syr  Gawayne  departed,  he 
rode  many  journeyes  bothe  toward  and  froward,  and  att 

15  the  laste  he  cam  to  the  abbaye  where  Syre  Galahad  had 
the  whyte  sheld.  And  there  Syr  Gawayne  lerned  the 
way  to  sewe  after  Syr  Galahad,  and  soo  he  rode  to  the 
abbay  where  Melyas  lay  seke,  and  there  Syr  Melyas  told 
Syr   Gawayn    of   the    merveyllous    adventures    that   Syr 

20  Galahad  dyd.  "  Certes,"  said  Sire  Gawayne,  "  I  am  not 
happy  that  I  took  not  the  way  that  he  wente,  for,  and  I 
maye  mete  with  hym,  I  wille  not  departe  from  hym 
lyghtely,  for  alle  merveyllous  adventures  Sir  Galahad 
encheveth."     "  Sir,"  said  one  of  the  monkes,  "  he  wille 

25  not  of  your  felauship."  "Why?"  said  Syr  Gawayne. 
"  Sir,"  said  he,  "for  ye  be  wycked  and  synful,  and  he  is 
ful  blessid." 

Ryght   as   they  thus    stode    talkynge,   there    came  in 
rydynge  Syr  Gareth,  and  thenne  they  made  joye  eyth^r 

30  of  other ;  and  on  the  morne  they  herd  masse,  and  soo 
departed.     And  by  the  way  they  met  with   Syr  Uwayne 


CiiAP.  XVI.]  FIGHT  WITH  THE  SEVEX K\XIGHTS.         Ill 

les  Avoultres.  And  there  Syre  Uwayne  told  Syr  Gawayne 
how  he  had  mette  with  none  adventure  sythe  he  departed 
from  the  courte.  "  Nor  we,"  said  Sir  Gawayne,  and 
eyther  promysed  other  of  tho  thre  knyghtes  not  to  departe 
whyle  they  were  in  that  quest,  but  yf  fortune  caused  it.  5 
Soo  they  departed  and  rode  by  fortune  tyl  that  they  came 
by  the  Castel  of  Maydens.  And  there  the  seven  bretheren 
aspyed  the  thre  knyghtes,  and  said,  "  Sythen  we  be 
flemyd  by  one  knyghte  from  this  castel,  we  shalle  destroye 
alle  the  knyghtes  of  kyng  Arthurs  that  we  maye  overcome,  10 
for  the  love  of  Syr  Galahad."  And  there  with  the  seven 
knyghtes  sette  upon  the  thre  knyghtes ;  and  by  fortune 
Syr  Gawayne  slewe  one  of  the  bretheren,  and  echone  of 
his  felawes  slewe  another,  and  soo  slewe  the  remenaunt. 
And  thenne  they  took  the  wey  under  the  castel,  and  there  15 
they  loste  the  way  that  Sir  Galahad  rode,  and  there 
everyche  of  hem  departed  from  other,  and  Sir  Gawayne 
rode  tylle  he  came  to  an  hermytage,  and  there  he  fond 
the  good  man  sayenge  his  evensonge  of  Our  Lady,  and 
there  Syr  Gawayne  asked  herberowe  for  charyte,  and  the  20 
good  man  graunted  hit  hym  gladly.  Thenne  the  good 
man  asked  hym  what  he  was.  "  Syre,"  he  said,  "  I  am  a 
kny^//t  of  kynge  Arthurs,  that  am  in  the  queste  of  the 
Sancgreal,  and  my  name  is  Syr  Gawayne."  "  Sire,"  sayd 
the  good  man,  "  I  wold  wete  how  it  standeth  betwixe  God  25 
and  yow."  "  Sir,"  said  Sir  Gawayne,  "  I  wille  with  a 
good  will  shewe  yow  my  lyf,  yf  hit  please  yow,"  and  there 
he  tolde  the  heremyte  how  "  a  monke  of  an  abbay  called 
me  wycked  knyght."  "  He  myght  wel  saye  hit,"  said  the 
heremyte,  "  for  whanne  ye  were  fyrste  made  knyghte  ye  30 
sholde  have  taken  yow  to  knyghtely  dedes  and  vertuous 
lyvynge,  and  ye  have  done  the  contrary,  for  ye  have  lyved 
meschevously  many  wynters  ;  and  Sir  Galahad  is  a  mayd, 
and  synned  never,  and  that  is  the  cause  he  shalle  encheve 


112  LK   MORTE   DARTHUR.  [Book  XIII. 

where  he  goth  that  ye  nor  none  suche  shalle  not  atteyne, 
nor  none  in  your  felauship,  for  ye  have  used  the  moost 
untruest  lyf  that  ever  I  herd  knyght  lyve.  For,  certes, 
had  ye  not  ben  so  wycked  as  ye  ar,  never  had  the  seven 
5  bretheren  be  slayne  by  yow  and  your  two  felawes.  For 
Syre  Galahad,  hym  self  alone,  bete  hem  alle  seven  the 
day  to  forne,  but  his  lyvyng  is  suche  he  shal  slee  no  man 
lyghtely.  Also  I  may  say  yow,  the  Castel  of  Maidens 
'  iSetokenen  the  good  soules  that  were  in  pryson  afore  the 

10  Incarnacyon  of  Jhesu  Cryste.  And  the  seven  knyghtes 
betokenen  the  seven  dedely  synnes  that  regned  that  tyme 
in  the  world.  And  I  may  lyken  the  good  Galahad  unto 
the  Sone  of  the  Hyghe  Fader,  that  lyghte  within  a  mayde, 
and  bought  alle  the  soules  oute  of  thralle  :  soo  dyd  Syre 

IS  Galahad  delyver  all  the  maydens  oute  of  the  woful  castel. 
Now,  Sire  Gawayne,"  said  the  good  man,  "thou  must 
doo  penaunce  for  thy  synne."  "  Syre,  what  penaunce 
shalle  I  do  ?  "  "  Suche  as  I  wille  gyve,"  sayd  the  good 
man.     "Nay,"  said  Syre  Gawayne,  "I  may  doo  no  pen- 

20  aunce  ;  for  we  knyghtes  adventurous  ofte  suffren  grete 
woo  and  payne."  "  Wei,"  sayd  the  good  man,  and  thenne 
he  held  his  pees.  And  on  the  morne  Syre  Gawayne 
departed  from  the  heremyte  and  betaught  hym  unto  God. 
And  by  adventur  he  mette  with  Syre  Aglovale  and  Syr 

25  Gryflet,  two  knyghtes  of  the  Table  Round.  And  they 
two  rode  four  dayes  withoute  fyndynge  of  ony  adventure, 
and  at  the  fyfthe  day  they  departed.  And  everyche  helde 
as  felle  them  by  adventure. 

Here  leveth  the  tale  of  Syr  Gawayne  and  his  felawes, 

30  and  speke  we  of  Syr  Galahad. 


Chap.  XVII.]         GALAHAD  IX  DISGUISE.  113 


(lapitulum  jvtj. 

Soo  whanne  Syr  Galahad  was  departed  from  the  Castel 
of  Maydens,  he  rode  tyl  he  came  to  a  waste  forest,  and 
there  he  mette  with  Syre  Launcelot  and  Syr  Percyvale ; 
but  they  knewe  hym  not,  for  he  was  newe  desguysed. 
Ryghte  so  Syr  Launcelot  his  fader  dressid  his  spere  and  5 
brake  it  upon  Syr  Galahad,  and  Galahad  smote  hym  so 
ageyne  that  he  smote  doune  hors  and  man.  And  thenne 
he  drewe  his  suerd,  and  dressid  hym  unto  Syr  Percyvale, 
and  smote  hym  soo  on  the  helme  that  it  rofe  to  the  coyfe 
of  stele,  and  had  not  the  swerd  swarved,  Syr  Percyvale  10 
had  ben  slayne,  and  with  the  stroke  he  felle  oute  of  his 
sadel.  This  justes  was  done  to  fore  the  hermytage  where 
a  recluse  dwelled.  And  when  she  sawe  Syr  Galahad 
ryde,  she  said,  "  God  be  with  the  best  knyghte  of  the 
world."  "  A,  certes,"  said  she,  alle  alowde,  that  Launcelot  15 
and  Percyvale  my^//t  here  it,  "  and  yonder  two  knyghtes 
had  knowen  the  as  wel  as  I  doo,  they  wold  not  have 
encou«tred  with  the."  Thenne  Syr  Galahad  herd  her 
say  so  he  was  adrad  to  be  knowen  :  ther  with  he  smote 
his  hors  with  his  spores,  and  rode  a  grete  paas  toward  20 
them.  Thenne  perceyved  they  bothe  that  he  was  Gala- 
had, and  up  they  gat  on  their  horses,  and  rode  faste  after 
hym,  but  in  a  whyle  he  was  out  of  their  syghte.  And 
the/me  they  torned  ageyne  with  hevy  chere.  "  Lete  us 
spere  some  tydynges,"  sayd  Percyvale,  "  at  yonder  25 
recluse."  "  Do  as  ye  lyst,"  said  Syr  Launcelot.  Whanne 
Syr  Percyvale  came  to  the  recluse,  she  knewe  hym  wel 
ynough  and  Syr  Launcelot  bothe.  But  Syr  Launcelot 
rode  overthwart  and  endlonge  in  a  wylde  forest,  and 
helde  no  pathe  but  as  wyld  adventure  led  hym.  And  at  30 
the  last  he  came  to  a  stony  crosse,  whiche  departed  two 


114  LI:    MOR'J'J:    DARIIIUR.  [HuuK    XIII. 

wayes  in  waste  land,  and  by  the  crosse  was  a  stone  that 
was  of  marbel,  but  it  was  so  derke  that  Syr  Launcelot 
myghte  not  wete  what  it  was.  Thenne  Syre  Launcelot 
loked  by  hym  and  sawe  an  old  chappel,  and  ther  he 
5  wende  to  have  fond  peple.  And  Sir  Launcelot  teyed  his 
hors  tyl  a  tree,  and  there  he  dyd  of  his  sheld,  and  henge 
hit  upon  a  tree,  and  thenne  wente  to  the  chappel  dore 
and  fonde  hit  waste  and  broken.  And  within  he  fond  a 
fayr  aulter  ful  rychely  arayed  with  clothe  of  clene  sylke, 

10  and  there  stode  a  fayre  clene  candelstyk  whiche  bare 
syxe  grete  candels,  and  the  candelstyk  was  of  sylver. 
And  whanne  Syre  Launcelot  sawe  thys  lyght,  he  had 
grete  wylle  for  to  entre  in  to  the  chappel,  but  he  coude 
fynde  no  place  where  he  myghte  entre.     Thenne  was  he 

15  passynge  hevy  and  desmayed.  Thenne  he  retorned  and 
cam  to  his  hors,  and  dyd  of  his  sadel  and  brydel,  and  lete 
hym  pasture ;  and  unlaced  his  helme,  and  ungyrd  his 
swerd,  and  laide  hym  doune  to  slepe  upon  his  shelde  to  fore 
the  crosse. 

Capitulum  jviij. 

20  And  soo  he  felle  on  slepe,  and  half  wakynge  and 
slepyng  he  sawe  come  by  hym  two  palfreyes  alle  fayr  and 
whyte,  the  whiche  bare  a  lytter,  therin  lyenge  a  seke 
knyghte.  And  whanne  he  was  nyghe  the  crosse  he  there 
abode  stylle.     Alle  this  Syr  Launcelot  sawe  and  beheld, 

25  for  he  slepte  not  veryly,  and  he  herd  hym  saye,  "  O  swete 
Lord,  whanne  shal  this  sorowe  leve  me  ?  and  whanne 
shalle  the  holy  vessel  come  by  me  where  thurgh  I  shalle 
be  blessid  ?  For  I  have  endured  thus  longe  for  lytyl 
trespace."      A  ful  grete  whyle  complayned  the   knyght 

30  thus,  and  alweyes  Syr  Launcelot  herd  it.  With  that  Syr 
Launcelot  sawe  the  candelstyk  with  the  syxe  tapers  come 
before  the  crosse,  and  he  sawe  no  body  that  brought  it. 


Chap.  y.WW.']  LA CNCELOT  AA'D   T7/E  GRAIL.  115 

Also  there  came  a  table  of  sylver  and  the  holy  vessel  of 
the  Sancgreal,  whiche  Launcelot  had  sene  afore  tyme  in 
kynge  Pescheours  hows.  And  there  with  the  seke 
knyghte  sette  hym  up  and  helde  up  bothe  his  handes, 
and  said,  "  Faire  swete  Lord,  whiche  is  here  within  this  5 
holy  vessel,  take  hede  unto  me  that  I  may  be  hole  of  this 
maladye."  And  ther  with  on  his  handes  and  on  his 
knees  he  wente  soo  nyghe  that  he  touched  the  holy  vessel 
and  kyste  hit,  and  anone  he  was  hole  ;  and  thenne  he 
sayd,  "  Lord  God,  I  thanke  the,  for  I  am  helyd  of  this  10 
sekenesse."  So  whanne  the  holy  vessel  had  ben  there 
a  grete  whyle  hit  wente  unto  the  chappel  with  the 
chaundeler  and  the  lyght,  soo  that  Launcelot  wyst  not 
where  it  was  become,  for  he  was  overtaken  with  synen 
that  he  had  no  power  to  ryse  ageyne  the  holy  vessel;  15 
wherfor  after  that  many  men  said  of  hym  shame,  but  he 
took  repentaunce  after  that.  Thenne  the  seke  knyght 
dressid  hym  up,  and  kyssed  the  crosse.  Anone  his 
squyer  brought  hym  his  armes  and  asked  his  lord  how  he 
dyd.  "  Certes,"  sayd  he,  "  I  thanke  God  ryghte  wel,  20 
thurgh  the  holy  vessel  I  am  helyd.  But  I  have  merveil 
of  this  slepynge  knyghte,  that  had  no  power  to  awake 
whanne  this  holy  vessel  was  brought  hyder."  "  I  dare 
ry^//t  wel  saye,"  sayd  the  squyer,  "  that  he  dwelleth  in 
some  dedely  synne,  wherof  he  was  never  confessid."  25 
"By  my  feythe,"  said  the  knyght,  "what  somever  he  be 
he  is  unhappy,  for  as  I  deme  he  is  of  the  felauship  of  the 
Round  Table,  the  whiche  is  entryd  in  to  the  quest  of  the 
Sancgreal."  "Sire,"  said  the  squyer,  "here  I  have 
brought  yow  alle  your  armes  sauf  your  helme  and  your  30 
suerd,  and  therfor  by  myn  assente  now  maye  ye  take  this 
kny^/^tes  helme  and  his  suerd."  And  so  he  dyd.  And 
whan  he  was  clene  armed  he  took  Syr  Lau;/celots  hors,  for 
he  was  better  than  his,  and  soo  departed  they  from  the 
crosse. 


116  LE  MORTE   D ARTHUR.  [Book  XIII. 


Capltulum  £i£. 

Thenne  anone  Syr  Launcelot  waked  and  sette  hym  up, 
and  bethought  hym  what  he  had  sene  there,  and  whether 
it  were  dremes  or  not.  Ryght  so  herd  he  a  voys  that 
said,  "  Syr  Launcelot,  more  harder  than  is  the  stone,  and 
5  more  bytter  than  is  the  wood,  and  more  naked  and  barer 
than  is  the  ieef  of  the  fygge  tree,  therfore  goo  thow  from 
hens,  and  wythdrawe  the  from  this  hooly  place."  And 
whanne  Syre  Launcelot  herd  this  he  was  passynge  hevy, 
and  wyst  not  what  to  do,  and  so  departed  sore  wepynge, 

10  and  cursed  the  tyme  that  he  was  borne.  For  thenne  he 
demed  never  to  have  hadde  worship  more.  For  tho 
wordes  went  to  his  herte,  tyl  that  he  knewe  wherfor  he 
was  called  soo.  Thenne  Syre  Launcelot  wente  to  the 
crosse  and  fonde  his  helme,  his  swerd,  and  his  hors  taken 

15  away.  And  thenne  he  called  hym  self  a  veray  wretche 
and  moost  unhappy  of  all  knyghtes ;  and  there  he  sayd, 
"  My  synne  and  my  wyckednes  have  brought  me  unto 
grete  dishonour  ;  for  whanne  I  soughte  worldly  adventures 
for  worldly  desyres  I  ever  encheved  them,  and  had  the 

20  better  in  every  place,  and  never  was  I  discomfyt  in  no 
quarel,  were  it  ryght  or  wronge.  And  now  I  take  upon 
me  the  adventures  of  holy  thynges,  and  now  I  see  and 
understande  that  myn  old  synne  hyndereth  me  and 
shameth  me,  so  that  I  had  no  power  to  stere  nor  speke 

25  whan  the  holy  blood  appiered  afore  me." 

So  thus  he  sorowed  til  hit  was  day,  and  herd  the  fowles 
synge  ;  thenne  somwhat  he  was  comforted.  But  whan 
Syr  Launcelot  myst  his  hors  and  his  harneis,  thenne  he 
wyste  wel  God  was  displeasyd  with  hym.       Thenne  he 

30  departed  from  the  crosse  on  foote  in  to  a  foreste,  and  soo 
by   pryme   he   came   to  an   hyghe    hylle,   and    fonde    an 


Chap.  XX.]      LAUNCELOrs  REPENTANCE.  117 

hermytage,  and  an  heremyte  theryn,  whiche  was  goynge 
unto  masse.  And  thenne  Launcelot  kneled  doune,  and 
cryed  on  oure  Lorde  mercy  for  his  wycked  werkes.  Soo 
whanne  masse  was  done,  Launcelot  called  hym,  and 
prayed  hym  for  charite  for  to  here  his  lyfe.  "  With  a  5 
good  will,"  sayd  the  good  man.  "  Sir,"  sayd  he,  "be  ye 
of  kyng  Arthurs  courte  and  of  the  felauship  of  the  Round 
Table  }  "  "  Ye,  forsothe,  and  my  name  is  Sir  Launcelot 
du  Lake,  that  hath  ben  ryght  wel  said  of,  and  now  my 
good  fortune  is  chaunged,  for  I  am  the  moost  wretche  of  10 
the  world."  The  heremyte  behelde  hym,  and  hadde 
merveille  how  he  was  soo  abasshed.  "  Syre,"  said  the 
heremyte,  "  ye  oughte  to  thanke  God  more  than  ony 
knyght  lyvynge,  for  he  hath  caused  yow  to  have  more 
worldly  worship  than  ony  knyghte  that  now  lyveth.  And  15 
for  your  presumpcyon  to  take  upon  you  in  dedely  synne 
for  to  be  in  his  presence,  where  his  flesshe  and  his  blood 
was,  that  caused  you  ye  myghte  not  see  hit  with  worldly 
eyen,  for  he  wille  not  appiere  where  suche  synners  ben, 
but  yf  hit  be  unto  theire  grete  hurte  and  unto  her  grete  20 
shame.  And  there  is  no  knyght  lyvynge  now  that  ought 
to  kenne  God  soo  grete  thanke  as  ye  ;  for  he  hath  yeven 
yow  beaute,  semelynes,  and  grete  strengthe  above  all 
other  knyghtes,  and  therfor  ye  are  the  morr'  beholdyng 
unto  God  than  ony  other  man  to  love  hym  and  drede  25 
hym  ;  for  your  strength  and  manhode  wille  lytel  avaylle 
yow  and  God  be  ageynste  yow." 

Capita lum  jj. 

Thenne  Sir  Launcelot  wept  with  hevy  chere,  and  sayd, 
"  Now  I  knowe  wel  ye  saye  me  sothe."  "  Sire,"  sayd  the 
good  man,  "  hyde  none  old  synne  from  me."     "  Truly,"  30 

^  Read  more. 


1 


lis  LE  MORTE  DARTHUR.  [15ook  XIII. 

said  Syr  Launcelot,  "  that  were  me  ful  lothe  to  discovere  ; 
for  this  xiiij  yere  I  never  discoverd  one  thynge  that  I 
have  used,  and  that  inaye  I  now  wyte  my  shame  and  my 
disaventur."  And  thenne  he  told  there  that  good  man 
5  alle  his  lyf,  and  hou  he  had  loved  a  quene  unmesurably, 
and  oute  of  mesure  longe,  "  and  alle  my  grete  dedes  of 
armes  that  I  have  done,  I  dyd  for  the  moost  party  for  the 
quenes  sake,  and  for  her  sake  wold  I  doo  batail  were  hit 
ryght  or  wronge,  and  never  dyd  I  bataille  alle  only  for 

10  Goddes  sake,  but  for  to  wynne  worshyp  and  to  cause  me 
to  be  the  better  biloved,  and  lytel  or  noughte  I  thanked 
God  of  hit."  Thenne  Syr  Launcelot  sayd,  "  I  praye  yow 
counceylle  me."  '"  I  wille  counceyle  yow,"  said  the 
heremyte,  '"  yf  ye  wille  ensure  me  that  ye  will  never  come 

15  in  that  quenes  felauship,  as  moche  as  ye  may  forbere." 
And  thenne  Syre  Launcelot  promysed  hym  he  nold,  by 
the  feithe  of  his  body.  "  Loke  that  your  herte  and  your 
mouthe  accorde,"  said  the  good  man,  "  and  I  shalle 
ensure  yow  ye  shalle  have   more  worship   than  ever  ye 

20  had."  "  Holy  fader,"  said  Syre  Launcelot,  "  I  merveylle 
of  the  voys  that  sayd  to  me  merveillous  wordes  as  ye  have 
herd  to  fore  hand."  "  Have  ye  no  merveylle,"  sayd  the 
good  man,  "  therof,  for  hit  semeth  wel  God  loveth  yow ; 
for  men  maye  understande  a  stone  is  hard  of  kynde,  and 

25  namely  one  more  than  another,  and  that  is  to  understande 
by  the,  Syr  Launcelot,  for  thou  wylt  not  leve  thy  synne 
for  no  goodnes  that  God  hath  sente  the ;  therfor  thou 
arte  more  [hard  ?]  than  ony  stone,  and  never  woldest 
thow  be  maade  neysshe  nor  by  water  nor  by  fyre,  and 

30  that  is,  the  hete  of  the  Holy  Ghoost  maye  not  entre  in 
the.  Now  take  hede  ;  in  alle  the  world  men  shal  not 
fynde  one  knyghte  to  whome  oure  Lord  hath  yeven  soo 
moche  of  grace  as  he  hath  yeven  yow ;  for  he  hath  yeven 
yow  fayrenes   with    semelynes,   he   hath   yeven   the   wyt, 


Chap.  XX.]       LAUNCELOT'S   CONFESSION.  119 

discrecyon  to  knowe  good  from  evyll,  he  hath  yeven  the 
prowesse  and  hardynesse,  and  gyven  the  to  werke  soo 
largely  that  thou  hast  had  at  al  dayes  the  better  where 
somever  thow  came.      x\nd  now  our  Lord  wille  suffre  the 
no  lenger,  but  that  thow  shake  knowe  hym,  whether  thow    5 
wilt  or  nylt.     And  why  the  voyce  called  the  bytter  than 
wood,  for  where  over  moche  synne  duelleth,  there  maybe 
but  lytel  swetnesse,  wherfor  thow  arte  lykened  to  an  old 
roten  tree.     Now  have  I  shewed  the  why  thou  arte  harder 
than  the  stone  and  bytterer  than  the  tree.     Now  shall  I  10 
shewe  the  why  thow  arte  more  naked  and  barer  than  the 
fygge  tree.     It  befelle  that  our   Lord   on    Palmsondaye 
preched  in  Jherusalem,  and  there  he  fonde  in  the  people 
that  alle  hardnes  was  herberowed  in  them,  and  there  he 
fond  in  alle  the  towne  not  one  that  wold  herberowe  hym.  15 
And  thenne  he  wente  withoute  the  towne,  and  fond  in 
myddes  of  the  way  a  fygge  tree,  the  whiche  was  ryghte 
fayr,  and  wel  garnysshed  of  leves,  but  fruyte  had  it  none. 
Thenne  our  Lord  cursyd  the  tree  that  bere  no  fruyte  ; 
that  betokeneth  the  fygge  tree  unto  Jherusalem,  that  had  20 
leves  and  no  fruyte.     Soo  thow,  Syr  Launcelot,  whan  the 
Hooly  Grayle  was  broughte  afore  the,  he  fonde  in  the 
noo    fruyte,    nor    good    thoughte,    nor    good    wille,    and 
defowled  with  lechery."     "  Certes,"  said  Sir  Launcelot, 
"'  alle  that  ye  have  said  is  true.     And  from  hens  forward  25 
I  caste  me  by  the  grace  of  God  never  to  be  so  wycked  as 
I  have  ben,  but  as  to  folowe  knyghthode  and  to  do  fetys 
of  armes."     Thenne  the  good  man  joyned  Syr  Launcelot 
suche  penaunce  as  he  myghte  doo,  and  to  sewe  knyght- 
hode, and  so  assoylled  hym,  and  praid  Syi'e  Launcelot  30 
to  abyde  with  hym  alle  that  daye.     "  I  wylle  wel,"  said 
Syr  Launcelot,  "for  I  have  neyther  helme,  ne  hors,  ne 
suerd."      '"  As  for  that,"  sayd  the  good  man,  "  I  shalle 
helpe  yow  or  to  morne  at  even  of  an  hors  and  al  that 


120  LE  MORTE  D ARTHUR. 

longed  unto  yow."     And  thenne  Syr  Lau//celot  repented 
hym  gretely. 


H^crc    levetb    of    tbe    bistort    of    s^t 

launcclot. 


Bn^  bcvc  folowctb  tbe  sevententb  book 
wblcbc  is  of  tbe  noble  I^n^obte  s^re 
Galaba^. 


/^^-^" 


Capitulum  primum. 

Now  saith  this  story,  whanne  Galahad  had  rescowed 
Percyval  from  the  twenty  knyghtes,  he  yede  tho  in  to  a 
waste  foreste,  wherin  he  rode  many  journeyes,  and  he 
fonde  many  adventures,  the  whiche  he  brought  to  an 
ende,  wherof  the  story  maketh  here  no  mencyon.  Thenne  s 
he  toke  his  waye  to  the  See  on  a  daye,  and  hit  befelle  as 
he  passed  by  a  castel  where  was  a  wonder  turnement, 
but  they  withoute  had  done  soo  moche  that  they  within 
were  putte  to  the  werse, ,  yet  were  they  wythin  good 
knyghtes  ynoug/i.  Whanne  Galahad  sawe  that  tho  within  lo 
were  at  soo  grete  a  meschyef  that  men  slewe  hem  att  the 
entre  of  the  castel,  thenne  he  thoughte  to  helpe  hem,  and 
putte  a  spere  forth,  and  smote  the  fyrste  that  he  flay  to 
the  erthe,  and  the  spere  brak  to  pyeces.  Thenne  he 
drewe  his  suerd  and  smote  there  as  they  were  thyckest,  15 
and  so  he  dyd  wonderful  dedes  of  armes,  that  alle  they 
merveylled.  Thenne  hit  happed  that  Gawayne  and  Sir 
Ector  de  Marys  were  with  the  knyghtes  withoute.  But 
whanne  they  aspyed  the  whyte  shelde  with  the  reed 
crosse,  the  one  sayd  to  the  other,  "  Yonder  is  the  good  20 
knyght  Sir  Galahad  the  haute  prynce.  Now  he  shold  be 
a  grete  foole  whiche  shold  mete  with  hym  to  fyghte." 
Soo  by  adventure  he  came  by  Sire  Gawayne,  and  he 
smote  hym  soo  hard  that  he  claf  his  helme  and  the  coyfe 
of  yron  unto  his  hede,  so  that  Gawayn  felle  to  the  erthe ;  25 
but  the  stroke  was  soo  grete  that  it  slented  doune  to  the 
erthe,  and  carfe  the  hors  sholder  in  two.  Whan  Ector 
sawe  Gawayne  doune,  he  drewe  hym  asyde,  and  thoughte 
it  no  wysedome  for  to  abyde  hym,  and  also  for  naturel  love, 


122  LE   MORTE   D ARTHUR.  [Book  XVII. 

that  he  was  his  unkel.  Thus  thurgh  his  grete  hardynesse 
he  bete  abak  alle  the  knyghtes  withoute.  And  thenne 
they  within  cam  oute  and  chaced  hem  alle  aboute.  But 
whanne  Galahad  sawe  ther  wold  none  torne  ageyne,  he 
5  stale  awey  pryvely,  so  that  none  wyst  where  he  was 
bicome.  "Now,  by  my  hede,"  sayd  Gawayn  to  Ector, 
"  now  are  the  wonders  true  that  were  sayd  of  Launcelot 
du  Lake,  that  the  swerd  whiche  stak  in  the  stone  shold 
srvve  me  suche  a  buffet  thai  I  wold  not  have  it  for  the 

10  best  castell  in  this  world,  and  sothely  now  hit  is  preved 
trewe,  for  never  ere  had  I  suche  a  stroke  of  mans  hand." 
"Sir,"  sayd  Ector,  "me  semeth  your  quest  is  done." 
"  And  yours  is  not  done,"  sayd  Gawayn,  "  but  myn  is 
done  :  I  shalle  seke  noo  ferther."     Thenne  Gawayne  was 

15  borne  in  to  a  castel,  and  unarmed  hym,  and  leyd  hym  in 
a  ryche  bedde,  and  a  leche  fonde  that  he  myght  lyve,  and 
to  be  hole  within  a  moneth. 

Thus  Gawayne  and   Ector   abode   to  gyder,  for   Syre 
Ector  wold  not  awey  til  Gawayne  were  hole.     And  the 

20  good  kny^//t  Galahad  rode  so  long  tyll  he  came  that 
nyghte  to  the  castel  of  Carboneck ;  and  hit  befelle  hym 
thus  that  he  was  benyghted  in  an  hermytage.  Soo  the 
good  man  was  fayne  whan  he  sawe  he  was  a  knyght 
erraunt.     Tho  whan  they  were  at  rest,  ther  cam  a  gentil- 

25  w^oman  knockyng  at  the  dore  and  called  Galahad,  and 
soo  the  good  man  cam  to  the  dore  to  wete  what  she  wold. 
Thenne  she  called  the  heremyte,  "  Syre  Ulfyn,  I  am  a 
gentylwoman  that  wold  speke  with  the  knyght  whiche  is 
with  yow."     Thenne  the  good  man  awaked  Galahad,  and 

30  badde  hym,  "  Aryse,  and  speke  with  a  gentylwoman  that 
semeth  hath  grete  nede  of  yow."  Thenne  Galahad  wente 
to  her,  and  asked  her  what  she  wold.  "  Galahad,"  sayd 
she,  "  I  will  that  ye  arme  you,  and  mouwte  upon  your 
hors,  and  folowe  me,  for  T  shall  shewe  yow  within  these 


Chap.  II.]  GALAHAD   ON   THE  SHIP.  123 

thre  dayes  the  hyest  adventure  that  ever  ony  knyght 
sawe."  Anone  Galahad  armed  hym,  and  took  his  hors, 
and  commaunded  hym  to  God,  and  badde  the  gentilwoman 
go  and  he  wold  folowe  there  as  she  lyked. 

Capitulum  ij, 

Soo  she  rode  as  fast  as  her  palfrey  myght  bere  her,    5 
tylle  that  she   came  to   the   see  the  whiche  was  called 
Collybe.     And  at  the  nyghte  they  came  unto  a  castel  in 
a  valeye  closed  with  a  rennynge  water,  and  with  stronge 
walles  and  hyhe.     And  soo  she  entred  in  to  the  castel 
with  Galahad,  and  there  had  he  grete  chere,  for  the  lady  10 
of  that  castel  was  the  damoysels  lady.     Soo  whan  he  was 
unarmed,  thenne  said  the  damoysel,  "  Madame,  shalle  we 
abyde  here  all  this  day  ?  "     "  Nay,"  sayd  she,  "  but  tylle 
he  hath  dyned,  and  tyl  he  hath  slepte  a  lytyl."     So  he 
ete  and  slepte  a  whyle  tyl  that  the  mayde  called  hym,  and  15 
armed  hym  by  torche  lyght.     And  whan  the  mayde  was 
horsed,  and  he  bothe,  the  lady  took  Galahad  a  fayr  child 
and  ryche,  and  so  they  departed  from  the  castel,  tyl  they 
came  to  the  see  syde,  and  there  they  fond  the  shyp  where 
Bors  and  Percyval  were  in,  the  whiche  cryed  on  the  shyps  20 
bord,  "  Sir  Galahad,  ye  be  welcome,  we  have  abyden  yow 
longe."     And  whan  he  herd  them,  he  asked  them  what 
they  were.     "  Sir,"  said  she,  "  leve  your  hors  here,  and 
shall  leve  myn";   and  toke  her  sadels  and  her  brydels 
with  them,  and  made  a  crosse  on  them,  and  soo  entryd  25 
in   to  the  shyp.      And  the  two  knyghtes  receyved  hem 
bothe  with  grete  joye,  and  everyche  knewe  other,  and  soo 
the  wynde   aroos   and   drofe   hem   thurgh   the   see   in   a 
merveyllous  place  ;  and  within  a  whyle  it  dawyd.    Thenne 
dyd  Galahad  of  his  helme  and  his  suerd,  and  asked  of  30 
his  felawes  from  whens  cam  that  fayre  shyp.     "  Truly," 


124  LE  MORTE   DARTHUR.  [liooK  XVII. 

sayd  they,  "  ye  wote  as  wel  as  vvc  but  of  Goddes  grace." 
And  thenne  they  told  everyche  to  other  of  alle  theire 
hard  adventures,  and  of  her  grete  temptacyons.  "  Truly," 
sayd  Galahad,  "  ye  are  moche  bounden  to  God,  for  ye 
5  have  escaped  grete  adventures,  and  had  not  the  gentil- 
woman  ben,  1  had  not  comen  here ;  for  as  for  yow  1  wend 
never  to  have  fond  yow  in  these  straunge  countreyes." 
"A,  Galahad,"  saide  Bors,  "  yf  Launcelot  your  fader  were 
here  thenne  were  we  wel  at  ease,  for  thenne  me  semed 

lo  we  fayled  no  thynge."  "That  may  not  be,"  sayde  Gala- 
had, "but  yf  it  pleasyd  oure  Lorde." 

By  thenne  the  shyp  wente  fro  the  londe  of  Logrys,  and 
by  adventure  it  arryved  up  betwix  two  roches  passyng 
grete  and  merveyllous,  but  there  they  myght  not  londe, 

15  for  there  was  a  swalowe  of  the  see,  sauf  there  was  another 
ship,  and  upon  it  they  myght  goo  withoute  daunger. 
"  Goo  we  thyder,"  sayd  the  gentylwoman,  "  and  there 
shalle  we  see  adventures,  for  soo  is  oure  Lordes  wylle." 
And  whanne  they  came  thyder,  they  fond  the  ship  ryche 

20  ynouo-//,  but  they  fond    neyther  man  ne  woman  therin. 

But  they  fonde  in  the  ende  of  the  ship  two  fayre  letters 

wryten,  whiche  sayd  a  dredeful  word  and  a  merveyllous  : 

[      "  Thow  man  whiche  shalle  entre  in  to  this  shyp,  beware 

thou  be  in  stedfast  bileve,  for  I  am  Feith,  and  therfor 

25  beware  hou  thou  entrest,  for  and  thou  faile  I  shal  not 
helpe  the."     Thenne  saide  the  ge;/tilwoman,  "  Percyval, 

j  wote  ye  what  I  am  ?  "  "  Certes,"  said  [he],  "  nay,  to  my 
wetynge."  "  Wete  you  wel,"  sayd  she,  "  that  I  am  thy 
syster,  whiche  am  doughter  of  kynge  Pellenore.  And 
^o  therfore  wete  ye  wel  ye  are  the  man  in  the  world  that  I 
moost  love.  And  yf  ye  be  not  in  parfyte  byleve  of  Jhesu 
Cryst,  entre  not  in  no  maner  of  wyse,  for  thenne  shold  ye 
perysshe  the  shyp,  for  he  is  soo  parfyte  he  wylle  suffre 
no  synner  in  hym."     Whanne   Percyval  understode  that 


Chap.  III.]  THE   MAGIC  SIVOKD.  125 

she  was  his  veray  syster,  he  was  inwardly  glad,  and  sayd, 
"  Faire  syster,  I  shalle  entre  therin,  for  yf  I  be  a  mys 
creature,  or  an  untrue  knyghte,  there  shalle  I  perysshe." 

Capitulum  Uercium. 

In  the  meane  whyle  Galahad  blessed  hym  and  entrid 
therin,  and  thenne  next  the  gentylwoman,  and  thenne  Sir    5 
Bors  and  Sir  Percyval.     And  whan  they  were  in,  it  was 
so   merveyllous  fayre   and  ryche    that    they  merveylled. 
And    in    myddes    of   the    shyp    was   a  fayr  bedde,   and 
Galahad  wente  therto,  and  fond  there  a  crowne  of  sylke. 
And  at  the  feet  was  a  swerd  ryche  and  fayre,  and  hit  was  10 
drawen  oute  of  the  shethe  half  a  foot  and  more,  and  the 
suerd  was  of  dyverse  facyons,  and  the  pomel  was  of  stone, 
and  there  was  in  hym  alle  manere  of  colours  that  ony 
man  myght  fynde,  and   everyche  of  the   colours   hadde 
dyverse  vertues  ;  and  the  skalys  of  the  hafte  were  of  two  15 
rybbes  of  dyverse  beestes.     The  one  beest  was  a  serpent, 
whiche  was  conversaunt  in  Calydone,  and  is  called  the 
serpent  of  the  fend.     And  the  bone  of  hym  is  of  suche  a 
vertu  that  there  is  no  hand  that  handeleth  hym  shalle 
never  be  wery  nor  hurte  ;  and  the  other  beest  is  a  fysshe,  20 
which    is    not    ryght    grete,    and    haunteth    the   flood   of 
Eufrate,  and  that  fysshe  is  called  Ertanax,  and  his  bones 
be  of  suche  a  maner  of  kynde  that  who  that  handeleth 
hem  shalle  have  soo  moche  wille  that  he  shalle  never  be 
wery,  and  he  shalle  not  thynke  on  joye  nor  sorow  that  he  25 
liath  had,  but  only  that  thynge  that  he  beholdeth  before 
hym.      And   as   for   this   suerd   there    shalle   never   man 
begrype  hym  at  the  handels  but  one,  but  he  shalle  passe 
alie  other.     "  In  the   name   of   God,"  said  Percyval,  "  I 
shall  assaye  to  handle  hit."      Soo  he   sette  his  hand  to  30 
the   suerd   but   he    myghte    not    begrype    hit.       "  By   my 


126  LK   MOKTE   DARIJIUK.  [Book   XV 11. 

feyth,"  said  he,  "  now  have  1  fayled."  Bors  set  his  hand 
therto  and  fayled.  Thenne  Galahad  beheld  the  siierd 
and  sawe  letters  lyke  blood  that  sayd,  "  Lete  see  who 
shall  assaye  to  drawe  me  oute  of  my  shethe  but  yf  he  be 
5  more  hardyer  than  ony  other,  and  who  that  draweth  me 
wete  ye  wel  that  he  shalle  never  fayle  of  shame  of  his 
body  or  to  be  wounded  to  the  dethe."  "  By  my  feyth," 
said  Galahad,  "  1  wold  drawe  this  suerd  oute  of  the 
shethe,  but  the  oft'endynge  is  soo  grete  that  I  shalle  not 

10  sette  my  hand  therto."  "  Now,  sirs,"  said  the  gentil- 
woman,  "  wete  ye  wel  that  the  drawynge  of  this  suerd  is 
warned  to  alle  men  sauf  al  only  to  yow." 

"  Also  this  shyp  aryved  in  the  realme  of  Logrys,  and 
that  tyme  was  dedely  werre  bytwene  kynge  Labor,  whiche 

15  was  fader  unto  the  maymed  kynge,  and  kynge  Hurlame, 
whiche  was  a  Sarasyn.  But  thenne  was  he  newely 
crystend,  soo  that  men  helde  hym  afterward  one  of  the 
wyttyest  men  of  the  world.  And  soo  upon  a  day  hit 
befelle    that    kynge    Labor    and    kynge    Hurlame    had 

20  assembled  their  folke  upon  the  see  where  this  shyp  was 
aryved,  and  there  kyng  Hurlame  was  discomfyte,  and  his 
men  slayne,  and  he  was  aferd  to  be  dede,  and  fled  to  his 
shyp,  and  there  he  fond  this  suerd  and  drewe  hit,  and 
cam  oute  and  fond  kyng  Labor,  the  man  in  the  world  of 

25  al  Crystendom  in  whome  was  thenne  the  grettest  feythe. 
And  when  kynge  Hurlame  sawe  kynge  Labor,  he  dressid 
this  suerd,  and  smote  hym  upon  the  helme  soo  hard  that 
he  clafe  hym  and  his  hors  to  the  erthe  with  the  fyrst 
stroke  of  his  suerd ;  and  hit  was  in  the  realme  of  Logrys. 

30  And  soo  bifelle  grete  pestylence  and  grete  harme  to  both 
realmes,  for  sythen  encrecyd  neyther  corne  ne  grasse,  nor 
wel  nyghe  no  fruyte,  ne  in  the  water  was  no  fysshe ; 
w[h]erfor  men  callen  hit  the  landes  of  the  two  marches, 
the   waste   land,   for  that  dolorous   stroke.      And  when 


Ch.\f.   W]  the   magic   girdle.  127 

kynge  Hurlame  sawe  this  suerd  soo  kervyng,  he  torned 
ageyne  to  fetche  the  scaubard ;  and  soo  came  in  to  this 
shyp  and  entred  and  putt  up  the  suerd  in  the  shethe. 
And  as  soone  as  he  had  done  it,  he  telle  doune  dede 
afore  the  bedde.  Thus  was  the  swerd  preved,  that  none  5 
ne  drewe  it  but  he  were  dede  or  niaymed.  So  laye  he 
ther  tyl  a  mayden  cam  in  to  the  shyp  and  cast  hym  oute, 
for  there  was  no  man  so  hardy  of  the  world  to  entre  in  to 
shypthat^  for  the  defence." 

Capitulum  Quartum. 

And  thenne  beheld  they  the  scaubard  ;  hit  semed  to  10 
be  of  a  serpentes  skynne.  And  theron  were  letters  of 
gold  and  sylver,  and  the  gyrdel  was  but  pourely  to  come 
to,  and  not  able  to  susteyne  suche  a  ryche  suerd,  and  the 
letters  sayd  :  "  He  whiche  shal  welde  me  oughte  to  be 
more  harder  than  ony  other,  yf  he  bere  me  as  truly  as  me  15 
oughte  to  be  born.  For  the  body  of  hym  whiche  I  oughte 
to  hange  by  he  shal  not  be  shamed  in  no  place  whyle  he 
is  gyrd  with  this  gyrdel,  nor  never  none  be  soo  hardy  to 
doo  awey  this  gyrdel,  for  it  oughte  not  be  done  away  but 
by  the  handes  of  a  mayde,  and  that  she  be  a  kynges  20 
doughter  and  quenes,  and  she  must  be  a  mayde  alle  the 
dayes  of  her  lyf,  bothe  in  wylle  and  in  dede.  And  yf  she 
breke  her  vyrgynte,  she  shalle  dye  the  moost  vylaynous 
dethe  that  ever  dyd  ony  woman."  "  Sir,"  said  Percyval, 
"  torne  this  suerd  that  we  may  see  what  is  on  the  other  25 
syde."  And  hit  was  reed  as  blood,  with  blak  letters  as 
ony  cole,  whiche  sayd,  "  He  that  shal  prayse  me  moost, 
moost  shalle  he  fynde  me  to  blame  at  a  grete  nede,  and 
to  whome  I  shold  be  moost  debonair  shall  I  be  most 
felon,  and  that  shalle  be  at  one  tyme."     "  Faire  broder,"  30 

1  Read  that  ship. 


h> 


]2S  LE   MORTE   DARTHUR.  [Book  XVII, 

sayd  she  to  Percyval,  "  it  befelle  after  a  fourty  yere  after 
the  passion  of  Jhesu  Cryst,  that  Nacyen,  thy^  broder  in 
lawe  of  kyng  Mordrayns,  was  boren  in  to  a  towne  more 
than  xiiij  dayes  journeye  from  his  countrey  by  the  com- 
5  maundement  of  our  Lord  in  to  an  yie,  in  to  the  partyes 
of  the  west  that  men  clepyd  the  Yle  of  Turnaunce.  Soo 
befelle  hit  that  he  fond  this  shyp  at  the  entre  of  a  roche, 
and  he  fond  the  bedde  and  his  suerd  as  we  have  herd 
now.     Not  for  thenne  he  had  not  soo  moche  hardynesse 

lo  to  drawe  hit ;  and  there  he  dwellid  an  eyght  dayes,  and 
at  the  nynythe  day  there  felle  a  grete  wynde,  whiche 
departed  hym  out  of  the  yle,  and  brought  hym  to  another 
yle  by  a  roche,  and  there  he  fond  the  grettest  gyaunt  that 
ever    man    myghte    see.       Therwith    cam    that   horryble 

15  gyaunt  to  slee  hym,  and  thenne  he  loked  aboute  hym 
aad^  myghde  not  flee,  and  he  had  no  thynge  to  defende 
hym  with.  Soo  he  ranne  to  his  suerd,  and  when  he  sawe 
hit  naked  he  praysed  it  moche ;  and  thenne  he  shoke  it, 
and  therwith  he  brak  it  in  the  myddes.     '  A,'  said  Nacyen, 

20  '  the  thyng  that  I  moost  praysed  ought  I  now  moost  to 
blame  ';  and  ther  with  he  threwe  the  pyeces  of  his  suerd 
over  his  bedde.  And  after  he  lepte  over  the  borde  to 
fyghte  with  we  ^gyaunt,  and  slewe  hym.  And  anone  he 
entryd  in  to  the  shyp  ageyne,  and  the  wynde  arose,  and 

25  drofe  hym  thurgh  the  see,  that  by  adventure  he  came  to 
another  shyp  where  kynge  Mordrayns  was,  whiche  hadde 
ben  tempted  ful  evyll  with  a  fende  in  the  porte  of  peryl- 
lous  roche.  And  whanne  that  one  sawe  the  other  they 
made  grete  joye  of  other,  and  eyther  told  other  of  their 

30  adventure,  and  how  the  swerd  fayled  hym  at  his  moost 
nede.  Whanne  Mordrayns  sawe  the  suerd  he  praysed 
hit  moche,  '  but  the  brekyng  was  not  to  doo  but  by 
wyckednes    of    thy  self   ward,   for   thow   arte    in    somme 

1  Read  the.  ^  Read  and  fnvtrhte.  ^  Read  the. 


Chap.  V.]         A'ACV^A'  AXD    THE  StVORD.  129 

synne,'  and  there  he  took  the  suerd  and  sette  the  pecys 
to  gyders,  and  they  soudered  as  fayr  as  ever  they  were  to 
fore,  and  there  putte  he  the  swerd  in  the  shethe,  and  leyd 
it  doune  on  the  bedde.  Thenne  herd  they  a  voyce  that 
sayd,  '  Go  out  of  this  ship  a  lytel  whyle,  and  entre  in  to  S 
the  other  for  drede  ye  falle  in  dedely  synne  ;  for,  and  ye 
be  fonde  in  dedely  synne,  ye  maye  not  escape  but 
perysshe,'  and  soo  they  wente  in  to  the  other  shyp.  And 
as  Nacyen  wente  over  the  borde  he  was  smyten  with  a 
swerd  on  the  ryghte  foote,  that  he  felle  doune  noselynge  lo 
to  the  shyps  bord ;  and  there  withe  he  sayd,  '  O  God, 
how  am  I  hurte,'  and  thenne  there  came  a  voyce  and 
sayd,  '  Take  thow  that  for  thy  forfette  that  thow  dydest 
in  drawynge  of  this  suerd,  tlierfor  tliow  receyvest  a 
wounde,  for  thow  were  never  worthy  to  handel  it,'  the  15 
wrytynge  maketh  mencyon."  "  In  the  name  of  God," 
said  Galahad,  "  ye  ar  ryg/ii  wyse  of  these  werkes." 

Capitulum  v. 

"  Syr,"  sayd  she,  "  there  was  a  kynge  that  hyghte 
Pelles  the  maymed  kynge.  And  whyle  he  myghte  ryde 
he  supported  moche  Crystendome  and  holy  chirche.  Soo  20 
upon  a  daye  he  hunted  in  a  woode  of  his  whiche  lasted 
unto  the  see,  and  at  the  last  he  loste  his  houndes  and  his 
knyghtes,  sauf  only  one,  and  there  he  and  his  knyghte 
wente  tyl  that  they  cam  toward  Irland,  and  there  he  fonde 
the  shyp.  And  whanne  he  sawe  the  letters  and  under-  25 
stood  them,  yet  he  entryd,  for  he  was  ryghte  parfyte  of 
his  lyf ;  but  his  knyghte  had  none  hardynes  to  entre. 
And  ther  fonde  he  this  suerd,  and  drewe  it  oute  as  moche 
as  ye  maye  see.  Soo  there  with  entryd  a  spere,  where 
with  he  was   smyte  hym^  thurgh   bothe   the   thyes,  and  3° 

1  Omit.  - 


IM)  LK    MORTK   J)AA'7'J/C'A\  [Udok   XVII. 

never  sythe  myghte  lie  be  helyd,  ne  nought  shall  to  fore 
we  come  to  hym.  Thus,"  said  she,  "  was  not  kynge 
Pelles,  your  graunte  sir,  maymed  for  his  hardynesse  ?  " 
"  In  the  name  of  God,  damoysel,"  sayd  Galahad.  So 
5  they  wente  toward  the  bedde  to  behold  al  aboute  hit,  and 
above  the  hede  ther  henge  two  swerdes.  Also  there  were 
two  spyndels  whiche  were  as  whyte  as  ony  snowe,  and 
other  that  were  as  reed  as  blood,  and  other  above  grene 
as  ony  emeraude  :  of  these  thre  colours  were  the  spyndels 

lo  and  of  naturel  coloure  within,  and  withoute  ony  payntynge. 
"  These  spyndels,"  sayd  the  damoysel,  "  were  whan  synful 
Eve  came  to  gadre  fruyte,  for  whiche  Adam  and  she  were 
putte  oute  of  Paradyse  ;  she  tooke  with  her  the  bough  on 
whiche  the  appel  henge  on.     Thenne  perceyved  she  that 

15  the  braunche  was  fayre  and  grene,  and  she  remembryd 
her  the  losse  whiche  came  fro  the  tree.  Thenne  she 
thoughte  to  kepe  the  braunche  as  longe  as  she  myghte. 
And  for  she  had  no  cofer  to  kepe  hit  in,  she  put  it  in  the 
erthe.     Soo  by  the  wylle  of  our  Lord  the  braunche  grewe 

20  to  a  grete  tree  within  a  lytil  whyle,  and  was  as  whyte  as 
ony  snowe,  brau;/ches,  bowes,  and  leves,  that  was  a  token 
a  mayden  planted  hit.  But  after  God  came  to  Adam, 
and  bad  hym  knowe  his  wyf  flesshly  as  nature  requyred. 
Soo  lay  Adam,  with  his  wyf  under  the  same  tree ;   and 

25  anone  the  tree  whiche  was  whyte  and^  ful  grene  as  ony 
grasse,  and  alle  that  came  oute  of  hit.  And  in  the  same 
tyme  that  they  medled  to  gyders  there  was  Abel  begoten  : 
thus  was  the  tree  longe  of  grene  colour.  And  so  it 
befelle   many  dayes   after,   under  the    same  tree   Caym 

30  slewe  Abel,  wherof  befelle  grete  merveil.  For  anone  as 
Abel  had  receyved  the  dethe  under  the  grene  tree,  he 
lost  the  grene  colour  and  becam  reed,  and  that  was  in 
tokenyng  of  the  blood.      And  anone  alle  the  plantes  dyed 

1  Read  hccaiti  ? 


Chap.  \'1.J     TIIE  STORY  OF   THE  SPINDLES.  131 

therof,  but  the  tree  grewe  and  waxed  merveyllously  fayre, 
and  hit  was  the  fayrest  tree  and  the  moost  delectable 
that  ony  man  myght  beholde  and  see,  and  so  dyd  the 
plantes  that  grewe  out  of  it  tofore  that  Abel  was  slayne 
under  it.  Soo  longe  dured  the  tree  tyl  that  Salamon  5 
kynge  Davyds  sone  regned,  and  helde  the  londe  after  his 
fader.  This  Salamon  was  wyse,  and  knewe  alle  the 
vertues  of  stones  and  trees,  and  soo  he  knewe  the  course 
of  the  sterres,  and  many  other  dyverse  thynges." 

"  This  Salamon  had  an  evylle  wyfe,  where  thurgh  he  10 
wende  that  there  had  ben  no  good  woman,  and  soo  he 
despysed  hem  in  his  bookes.  Soo  ansuerd  a  voyce  hym 
ones,  *  Salamon,  yf  hevynes  come  to  a  man  by  a  woman, 
ne  reke  thow  never.  For  yet  shalle  there  come  a  woman 
wherof  there  shalle  come  gretter  joye  to  man  an  honderd  15 
tymes  more  than  this  hevynesse  geveth  sorowe,  and  that 
woman  shalle  be  borne  of  thy  lygnage.'  Tho  whan 
Salamon  herd  these  wordes,  he  held  hym  self  but  a  foole, 
and  the  trouthe  he  perceyved  by  old  bookes.  Also  the 
Holy  Ghoost  shewed  hym  the  comynge  of  the  gloryous  20 
Vyrgyne  Marye.  Thenne  asked  he  of  the  voyce  yf  hit 
shold  be  in  the  yerde  of  his  lygnage.  '  Nay,'  sayd  the 
voyce,  '  but  there  shalle  come  a  man  whiche  shalle  be  a 
mayde,  and  the  last  of  your  blood,  and  he  shalle  be  as 
good  a  knyght  as  duke  Josue  thy  broder  in  lawe.'  "  25 


CapitiUum  vj. 

"  Now  have  I  certefyed  the  of  that  thow  stodest  in 
doubte.  Thenne  was  Salamon  glad  that  there  shold 
come  ony  suche  of  his  lygnage,  but  ever  he  merveylled 
and  studyed  who  that  shold  be,  and  what  his  name 
myghte  be.  His  wyf  perceyved  that  he  studyed,  and  3° 
thoughte  she  wolde  knowe  it  at  some  season,  and  so  she 


132  LE  MORTE   DARTHUR.  [Book  XVII. 

wayted  her  tyme,  and  asked  of  liyin  the  cause  of  his 
studyenge.  And  there  he  told  her  alle  to  gyder  liow  tlie 
voyce  tolde  Inni.  'Wei,'  sayd  she,  '  I  shalle  lete  make  a 
shyp  of  the  best  wood  and  moost  durable  that  men  maye 
5  fynde.'  Soo  Salamon  sente  for  alle  the  carpenters  of  the 
lond  and  the  best.  And  whan  they  had  made  the  shyp, 
the  lady  sayd  to  Salamon,  '  Syr,'  sayd  she,  '  syn  hit  is  soo 
that  this  knyght  ou^^V/te  to  passe  all  knyghtes  of  chevalry 
whiche  have  ben  to  fore  hym  and  shall  come  after  hym, 

10  more  over  1  shalle  telle  yow,'  sayd  she,  '  ye  shalle  goo  in 
to  oure  Lordes  temple,  where  is  kynge  Davyds  suerd, 
your  fader,  the  whiche  is  the  merveylloust  and  the  sharp- 
est that  ever  was  taken  in  ony  knyghtes  hand.  Therfore 
take  that,  and  take  of  the  pomel,  and  therto  make  ye  a 

15  pomel  of  precyous  stones,  that  it  be  soo  subtylly  made 
that  noo  man  perceyve  it,  but  that  they  be  al  one.  And 
after  make  there  an  hylte  soo  merveyllously  and  wonderly 
that  noo  man  maye  knowe  hit.  And  after  make  a 
merveyllous  sheth.     And  whan  ye  have  made  alle  this,  I 

20  shalle  lete  make  a  gyrdel  ther  to,  suche  as  shalle  please 
me.'  Alle  this  kynge  Salamon  dyd  lete  make  as  she 
devysed,  bothe  the  shyp  and  alle  the  remenaunt.  And 
whan  the  ship  was  redy  in  the  see  to  sayle,  the  lady  lete 
make  a  grete  bedde,  and  merveyllous  ryche,  and  sette  her 

25  upon  the  beddes  hede  coverd  with  sylke,  and  leyd  the 
suerd  at  the  feete,  and  the  gyrdels  were  of  hempe,  and 
there  with  the  kynge  was  angry.  '  Syr,  wete  ye  wel,'  sayd 
she,  '  that  I  have  none  soo  hyghe  a  thynge  whiche  were 
worthy  to  susteyne  soo  hyhe  a  suerd,  and  a  mayde  shall 

30  brynge  other  knyghtes  ther  to,  but  I  wote  not  whanne  hit 
shalle  be,  ne  what  tyme.'  And  there  she  lete  make  a 
coverynge  to  the  shyp,  of  clothe  of  sylke  that  shold  never 
rote  for  no  maner  of  weder.  Yet  went  that  lady  and 
maade  a  carpenter  to  come  to  the  tree  whiche  Abel  was 


Chap.  VII.]    KIXG  SOLOMON  AND  HIS   WIFE.  133 

slayne  under.  'Now,'  sayd  she,  'carve  me  oute  of  this 
tree  as  moche  woode  as  wylle  make  me  a  spyndyl.'  '  A, 
madame,'  sayd  he,  '  this  is  the  tree  the  whiche  our  fyrst 
moder  planted.'  'Do  hit,'  sayd  she,  'or  els  I  shall  des- 
troye  the  ! '  Anone  as  he  beganne  to  werke  ther  cam  out  5 
droppes.of  blood,  and  thenne  wold  he  have  lefte,  but  she 
wold  not  suffre  hym,  and  soo  he  tooke  aweye  as  moche 
wood  as  my^//te  make  a  spyndyl,  and  soo  she  made  hym 
to  take  as  moche  of  the  grene  tree,  and  of  the  whyte  tree. 
And  whan  these  thre  spyndels  were  shapen,  she  made  10 
hem  to  be  fastned  upon  the  selar  of  the  bedde.  Whanne 
Salamone  sawe  this,  he  sayd  to  his  wyf,  '  Ye  have  done 
merveyllously,  for  though  alle  the  world  were  here  ryght 
now,  he  coude  not  devyse  wherfor  alle  this  was  made, 
but  oure  Lord  hym  self,  and  thow  that  hast  done  hit  15 
wotest  not  what  it  shal  betoken.'  '  Now  late  hit  be,'  sayd 
she,  'for  ye  shal  here  tydynges  sooner  than  ye  wene.'" 

"  Now  shalle  ye  here  a  wonderful  tale  of  kyng  Salamon 
and  his  wyf." 

Capitulum  vij. 

"  That  nyght  lay  Salamon  bifore  the  ship  with  lytel  20 
felauship.      And  whan  he  was  on  slepe,  hym   thoughte 
there  come  from  heven  a  grete  company  of  angels,  and 
alyghte    in    to    the    ship,    and    took    water    whiche    was 
broughte  by  an  angel  in  a  vessel  of  sylver,  and  sprente 
alle  the  shyp.      And   after  he   came   to  the  suerd,  and  25 
drewe  letters  on  the  hylte.     And  after  wente  to  the  shyps 
borde,  and  wrote  there  other  letters,  whiche  sayd  :  '  Thou 
man  that  wylt  entre  within  me,  beware  that  thow  be  ful 
within  the  feythe,  for  I  ne  am  but  feythe  and  byleve.' 
Whanne  Salamon  aspyed  these  letters  he  was  abasshed,  30 
soo  that  he  durste  not  entre,  and  soo  drewe  hym  abak, 


134  LE  MORTE  DARTHUR.  [Book  XVII. 

and  the  shyp  was  anone  shoveu  in  the  see,  and  he  vvente 
soo  faste  that  he  lost  syghte  of  hym  within  a  lytyl  whyle. 
And  thenne  a  lytyl  voyce  said, '  Salamon,  the  last  knyghte 
of  thy  lygnage  shalle  reste  in  this  bedde.'  Thenne  wente 
5  Salamon  and  awaked  his  wyf,  and  told  her  of  the  adven- 
tures of  the  shyp." 

Now  sayth  thystory,  that  a  grete  whyle  the  thre  felawes 
biheld  the  bedde  and  the  thre  spyndels.  Than  they  were 
at  certayne  that  they  were  of  naturel  colours,  withoute 

10  payntynge.  Thenne  they  lefte  up  a  clothe  whiche  was 
above  the  ground,  and  there  fond  a  ryche  purse  by 
semynge.  And  Percyvale  took  hit,  and  fonde  therin  a 
wrytte,  and  soo  he  redde  hit,  and  devysed  the  maner  of 
the  spyndels  and  of  the  shyp,  w^hens  hit  came,  and  by 

15  whome  it  was  made.  "  Now,"  sayd  Galahad,  "where 
shall  we  fynde  the  gentylwoman  that  shalle  make  newe 
gyrdels  to  the  suerd  ?  "  "  Fair  syre,"  sayd  Percyvals 
syster,  "  desmaye  yow  not ;  for  by  the  leve  of  God  I  shall 
lete  make  a  gyrdel  to  the  suerd,  suche  one  as  shalle  longe 

20  therto."  And  thenne  she  opend  a  boxe,  and  toke  oute 
gyrdels  which  were  semely  wroughte  with  golden  thredys, 
and  upon  that  were  sette  ful  precyous  stones,  and  a  ryche 
buckel  of  gold.  "  Lo,  lordes,"  said  she,  "  here  is  a  gyrdel 
that  oughte  to  be  sette  aboute  the  suerd.     And  wete  ye 

25  wel  the  grettest  parte  of  this  gyrdel  was  made  of  my  here, 
whiche  I  loved  wel  whyle  that  I  was  a  woman  of  the 
world.  But  as  soone  as  I  wyst  that  this  adventure  was 
ordeyned  me,  I  clypped  of  my  here  and  made  this  gyrdel 
in  the  name  of  God."      "  Ye  be  wel  y-fonde,"  said  Sir 

30  Bors,  "  for  certes  ye  have  put  us  out  of  grete  payne, 
wherin  we  shold  have  entryd  ne  had  your  tydynges  ben." 
Thenne  wente  the  gentilwoman  and  sette  hit  on  the 
gyrdel  of  the  suerd.  "  Now,"  sayd  the  felauship,  "  what 
is  the  name  of  the  suerd,  and  what  shalle  we  calle  hit  ?  " 


Chap.  VlII.]     GALAHAD  RECEIVES  THE  SWORD.       135 

"  Truly,"  sayd  she,  "  the  name  of  the  suerd  is,  the  Suerd 
with  the  Straunge  Gyrdels,  and  the  shethe,  Mever  of 
Blood ;  for  noo  man  that  hath  blood  in  hym  ne  shalle 
never  see  the  one  party  of  the  shethe  whiche  was  made 
of  the  tree  of  lyf."  Thenne  they  sayd  to  Galahad,  "  In  5 
the  name  of  Jhesu  Cryste,  and  praye  yow  that  ye  gyrd 
you  with  this  suerd,  whiche  hath  ben  desyred  so  moche 
in  the  realme  of  Logrys."  "  Now  lete  me  begynne," 
sayd  Galahad,  "  to  grype  thys  swerd  for  to  gyve  yow 
courage.  But  wete  ye  wel  hit  longeth  no  more  to  me  10 
than  it  doth  to  yow."  And  thenne  he  gryped  aboute  hit 
with  his  fyngers  a  grete  dele.  And  thenne  she  gyrte  hym 
aboute  the  myddel  with  the  swerd.  "  Now  rek  I  not 
though  I  dye,  for  now  I  hold  me  one  of  the  blessid 
maydens  of  the  world,  whiche  hath  made  the  worthyest  15 
knyght  of  the  world."  "  Damoysel,"  sayd  Galahad,  "ye 
have  done  soo  moche  that  I  shalle  be  your  knyghte  alle 
the  dayes  of  my  lyf."  Thenne  they  wente  from  that 
shyp,  and  wente  to  the  other.  And  anone  the  wynde 
droofe  hem  in  to  the  see  a  grete  paas,  but  they  had  no  20 
vytaille ;  but  hit  befelle  that  they  came  on  the  morne  to 
a  castell  that  men  calle  Carteloyse,  that  was  in  the 
marches  of  Scotland.  And  whan  they  had  passed  the 
porte,  the  gentilwoman  sayde,  "  Lordes,  here  be  men 
aryven  that,  and  they  wyste  that  ye  were  of  kynge  Arthurs  25 
courte,  ye  shold  be  assayled  anone."  "  Damoysell,"  sayd 
Galahad,  "  he  that  cast  us  oute  of  the  roche  shalle 
delyver  us  from  hem." 

Capitulum  ®ctav>um. 

Soo  hit  befelle,  as  they  spoken  thus  there  cam  a  squyer 
by  them,  and  asked  what  they  were  ;  and  they  said  they  3° 
were  of  kynge  Arthurs  hows.     "Is  that  sothe  ?  "  sayd  he. 


136  LE  MORTE  DARTIIUR.         [Book  XVII. 

"Now  by  my  hede,"  sayd  he,  "ye  be  ylle  arayed";  and 
thenne  torned  he  ageyn  unto  the  clyff  fortresse.  And 
within  a  whyle  they  herd  an  home  blowe.  Thenne  a 
gentylwoman  came  to  hem,  and  asked  hem  of  whens 
5  they  were,  and  they  told  her.  "  Faire  lordes,"  sayd  she, 
"  for  Goddes  love  torne  ageyne  yf  ye  may,  for  ye  be  come 
unto  youre  dethe."  "  Nay,"  they  sayd,  "  we  wille  not 
torne  ageyne,  for  he  shalle  helpe  us  in  whos  servyse  we 
ben  entred  in."      Thenne  as  they  stode  talkynge  there 

10  came  knyghtes  wel  armed,  and  bad  hem  yelde  them,  or 
els  to  dye.  "  That  yeldyng,"  sayd  they,  "  shal  be  noyous 
to  yow  " ;  and  there  with  they  lete  theyr  horses  renne,  and 
Sir  Percyval  smote  the  formest  to  the  erthe,  and  took  his 
hors,  and  mounted  therupon,  and  the  same  dyd  Galahad. 

15  Also  Bors  served  another  soo ;  for  they  had  no  horses  in 
that  countrey,  for  they  lefte  their  horses  whan  they  toke 
their  shyp  in  other  countrayes.  And  soo  whan  they  were 
horsed  thenne  beganne  they  to  sette  upon  them,  and  they 
of  the  castel  fled  in  to  the  stronge  fortresse,  and  the  thre 

20  knyghtes  after  them  in  to  the  castel,  and  soo  alyghte  on 
foote,  and  with  their  swerdes  slewe  them  doune,  and  gate 
in  to  the  halle.  Thenne  whan  they  beheld  the  grete 
multytude  of  peple  that  they  had  slayne  they  held  them 
self  grete  synners.     "Certes,"  sayd  Bors,  "I  wene  and 

25  God  had  loved  hem  that  we  shold  not  have  had  power  to 
have  slayne  hem  thus,  but  they  have  done  soo  moche 
ageyn  our  Lord  that  he  wold  not  suffre  hem  to  regne  no 
lenger."  "  Say  ye  not  soo,"  sayd  Galahad,  "for  yf  they 
mysdyd  ageynst  God  the  vengeaunce  is  not  ours,  but  to 

30  hym  whiche  hath  power  therof." 

So  came  there  oute  of  a  chamber  a  good  man  whiche 
was  a  preest,  and  bare  Goddes  body  in  a  coupe.  And 
whanne  he  sawe  hem  whiche  lay  dede  in  the  halle,  he 
was  alle  abasshed.     And  Galahad  dyd  of  his  helme  and 


Chap.  VIII.]      THE  CASTLE  OF  EARL  IIERNOX.  137 

kneled  doune,  and  soo  dyd  his  two  felawes.  "  Syre," 
sayd  they,  "  have  ye  no  drede  of  us,  for  we  ben  of  kynge 
Arthurs  courte."  Thenne  asked  the  good  man  how  they 
were  slayn  so  sodenly,  and  they  told  it  hym.  "  Truly," 
sayd  the  good  man,  "  and  ye  myghte  lyve  as  longe  as  the  5 
world  myght  endure,  ne  myghte  ye  have  done  soo  grete 
an  almesse  dede  as  this."  "Sire,"  sayd  Galahad,  "I 
repente  me  moch,  in  as  moche  as  they  were  crystened." 
"Nay,  repente  yow  not,"  sayd  he,  "for  they  were  not 
crystened;  and  I  shalle  telle  you  hou  that  I  wote  of  this  10 
castel :  Here  was  lord  erle  Hernox  not  but  one  yere,  and 
he  had  thre  sones,  good  knyghtes  of  armes,  and  a 
doughter,  the  fayrest  gentylwoman  that  men  knewe.  Soo 
tho  thre  knyghtes  loved  theyr  syster  so  sore  that  they 
brente  in  love,  and  so  they  lay  by  her  maulgre  her  hede.  15 
And  for  she  cryed  to  her  fader,  they  slewe  her,  and  took 
their  fader  and  putte  hym  in  pryson,  and  wou;/ded  hym 
nygh  to  the  deth  ;  but  a  cosyn  of  hers  rescowed  hyra 
And  thenne  dyd  they  grete  untrouthe  :  they  slewe  clerkes 
and  preestes,  and  made  bete  doune  chappels,  that  oure  20 
Lordes  servyse  myght  not  be  served  ne  sayd  ;  and  this 
same  day  her  fader  sente  to  me  for  to  be  confessid  and 
houseld,  but  suche  shame  had  never  man  as  I  had  this 
day  w'ith  the  thre  bretheren ;  but  the  erle  badde  me 
suffer,  for  he  sayde  they  shold  not  longe  endure,  for  thre  25 
servauntes  of  oure  Lord  shold  destroye  them ;  and  now 
hit  is  brought  to  an  ende.  And  by  this  maye  ye  wete 
our  Lord  is  not  displeasyd  with  vour  dedes."  "  Cartes," 
sayd  Galahad,  "  and  hit  had  not  pleasyd  our  Lord,  never 
shold  we  have  slayne  soo  many  men  in  soo  lytel  a  whyle."  30 
And  thenne  they  broughte  the  erle  Hernox  oute  of  pryson 
in  to  the  myddes  of  the  halle,  that  knewe  Galahad  anone, 
and  yet  he  sawe  hym  never  afore  but  by  revelacyon  of 
our  Lord.  '- 


138  LE  MONTE   D ARTHUR.         [Book  XVIL 


Capitulum  fj. 

Thenne  beganne  he  to  wepe  ryght  tendyrly,  and  said, 
"  Long  have  I  abyden  your  comynge,  but  for  Goddes  love 
holdeth  me  in  your  amies,  that  my  sowle  may  departe 
oute  of  my  body  in  soo  good  a  mans  armes  as  ye  be." 
5  "  Gladly,"  sayd  Galahad.  And  thenne  one  sayd  on 
hyghe  that  alle  herde,  "  Galahad,  wel  hast  thou  avenged 
me  on  Goddes  enemyes.  Now  behoveth  the  to  goo  to 
the  maymed  kyng  as  soone  as  thow  maist,  for  he  shalle 
receyve  by  the  helthe  whiche  he  hath  abyden  soo  long"; 

10  and  ther  with  the  sowle  departed  from  the  body.  And 
Galahad  made  hym  to  be  buryed  as  hym  ought  to  be. 

Ryght  soo  departed  the  thre  knyghtes,  and  Percyvals 
syster  with  them.  And  soo  they  came  in  to  a  waste 
foreste,  and  there  they  sawe  afore  them  a  whyte  herte, 

15  whiche  four  lyons  ladde.  Thenne  they  took  hem  to 
assent  for  to  folowe  after,  for  to  knowe  whydder  they 
repayred ;  and  soo  they  rode  after,  a  grete  paas,  til  that 
they  cam  to  a  valeye,  and  ther  by  was  an  hermytage 
where  a  good  man  dwellid,  and  the  herte  and  the  lyons 

20  entryd  also.  Soo  whanne  they  sawe  all  this,  they  torned 
to  the  chappel,  and  sawe  the  good  man  in  a  relygyous 
wede  and  in  the  armour  of  our  Lord,  for  he  wold  synge 
masse  of  the  Holy  Ghoost,  and  soo  they  entryd  in  and 
herde  masse.      And  at  the  secretys  of  the  masse,  they 

25  thre  sawe  the  hert  become  a  man,  the  whiche  merveyled 
hem,  and  sette  hym  upon  the  aulter  in  a  ryche  sege,  and 
sawe  the  four  lyons  were  chaunged,  the  one  to  the  forme 
of  a  man,  the  other  to  the  forme  of  a  lyon,  and  the  thyrd 
to  an  egle,  and  the  fourth  was  chaunged  unto  an  oxe. 

30  Thenne  toke  they  her  sege  where  the  herte  sat,  and  wente 
oute  thurgh  a  glas  wyndowe,  and  there  was  no  thynge 


Chap.  IX.]     THE  MEANING  OF  THE  WHITE  HART.      139 

perysshed  nor  broken.     And  they  herd  a  voyce  say,  "  In 
suche  a  maner  entred  the  sone  of  God  in  the  wombe  of 
a   mayd,    Mary,   whos  vyrgynyte   ne  was    perysshed   ne 
hurte."     And  whanne  they  herd  these  wordes  they  felle 
doune  to  the  erthe,  and  were  astonyed,  and  ther  with  was    5 
a  grete  clerenes.     And  whanne  they  were  come  to  their 
self  ageyn,  they  wente  to  the  good  man,  and  prayd  hym 
that  he  wold  say  hem  trouthe.     "  What  thynge  have  ye 
sene  1  "  sayd  he  :    and  they  told  hym  all  that  they  had 
sene.     "  A,  lordes,"  sayd  he,  "ye  be  welcome;  now  wote  lo 
I  wel  ye  be  the  good  knyghtes  the  whiche  shal  brynge 
the  Sancgreal  to  an  ende  ;  for  ye  ben  they  unto  whome 
oure  Lord  shalle  shewe  grete  secretes.     And  wel  oughte 
oure    Lord   be    sygnefyed    to    an    herte ;    for   the    herte 
whanne  he  is  old  he  waxeth  yonge  ageyne  in  hys  whyte  15 
skynne.     Ryght  soo  cometh  ageyne  oure  Lord  from  dethe 
to  lyf,  for  he   lost  erthely  flesshe,  that  was  the  dedely 
riesshe  whyche  he  had  taken  in  the  wombe  of  the  blessid 
Vyrg37n  Mary,  and  for  that  cause  appiered  oure  Lord  as 
a  whyte  herte  withoute  spot.     And  the  foure  that  were  20 
with    hym    is   to   understande   the   foure   Evvangelystes, 
whiche  sette  in  wrytynge  a  parte  of  Jhesu  Crystes  dedes 
that  he  dyd  somtyme  whan  he  was  amonge  yow  an  erthely 
man  ;  for  wete  ye  wel  never  erst  ne  myghte  no  knyghte 
knowe  the  trouthe,  for  oftymes  or  this  oure  Lord  shewed  25 
hym  unto  good  men  and  unto  good  knyghtes  in  lykenes 
of  an  herte.     But  I  suppose  from  hens  forth  ye  shalle  see 
no  more."     And  thenne  they  joyed  moche,  and  dwelled 
ther  alle  that  day.     And  upon  the  morowe  whan  they  had 
herde  masse  they  departed,  and  commaunded  the  good  30 
man  to  God,  and  soo  they  came  to  a  castel,  and  passed 
by.     So  there  came  a  knyghte  armed  after  them  and  sayd, 
"  Lordes,  herke  what  I  shal  saye  to  yow." 


HO  LE   MORTE  D ARTHUR.  [Book  XVII. 


Capitulum  %, 

"  This  gentylwoman  that  ye  lede  with  yow  is  a  mayde  ?" 
"Syr,"  said  she,  "a  mayde  I  am."  Thenne  he  took  her 
by  the  brydel  and  sayd,  "  By  the  holy  crosse  ye  shalle  not 
escape  me  to  fore  ye  have  yolden  the  customme  of  this 

5  castel."  "  Lete  her  go,"  sayd  Percyval,  ""  ye  be  not  wyse, 
for  a  mayde  in  what  place  she  cometh  is  free."  Soo  in 
the  meane  *whyle  there  came  oute  a  ten  or  twelve  knyghtes 
armed  oute  of  the  castel,  and  with  hem  came  gentyl- 
wymmen  whiche  held  a  dysshe  of  sylver.     And  thenne 

lo  they  sayd,  "  This  gentylwoman  must  yelde  us  the  customme 
of  this  castel."  "Sir,"  sayd  a  knyghte,  "what  mayde 
passeth  here  by  shalle  yeve  this  dysshe  ful  of  blood  of 
her  ryghte  arme."  "  Blame  have  he,"  sayd  Galahad, 
"  that  broughte  up  suche   custommes,  and  soo  God  me 

15  save  I  ensure  yow  of  this  gentylwoman  ye  shal  fayle 
whyle  that  I  lyve."  "  Soo  God  me  help,"  sayd  Percyval, 
"  I  had  lever  be  slayne."  "  And  I  also,"  sayd  Sir  Bors. 
"  By  my  trouthe,"  sayd  the  knyght,  "  thenne  shalle  ye 
dye,  for  ye  maye  not  endure  ageynste  us,  though  ye  were 

20  the  best  knyghtes  of  the  world."  Thenne  lete  they  renne 
eche  to  other,  and  the  thre  felawes  bete  the  ten  knyghtes, 
and  thenne  sette  theire  handes  to  their  swerdes,  and  bete 
them  doune  and  slewe  them.  Thenne  there  came  oute 
of    the    castel    a    thre    score    knyghtes    armed.      "  Faire 

25  lordes,"  sayd  the  thre  felawes,  "have  mercy  on  youre 
selfe,  and  have  not  adoo  with  us."  "  Nay,  fayre  lordes," 
sayd  the  knyghtes  of  the  castel,  "  we  counceyl  yow  to 
withdrawe  yow,  for  ye  ben  the  best  knyghtes  of  the  world, 
and  therfore  doo  no  more,  for  ye  have  done  ynough.    We 

30  wille  lete  yow  go  with  this  harme,  but  we  must  nedes 
have    the    customme."       "  Certes,"    sayd    Galahad,   "for 


Chap.  XL]       THE    CUSTOM  OF  A    CASTLE.  141 

nought  speke  ye."  "Wei,"  sayd  they,  "  wille  ye  dye?" 
"We  be  not  yet  come  therto,"  sayd  Galahad.  The^/ne 
beganne  they  to  medle  to  gyders,  and  Galahad  with  the 
straunge  gyrdels  drewe  his  suerd,  and  smote  on  the  ryght 
hand  and  on  the  lyfte  hand,  and  slewe  what  that  ever  5 
abode  hym,  and  dyd  suche  merveils  that  there  was  none 
that  sawe  hym  [but]  they  wend  he  had  ben  none  erthely 
man  but  a  monstre,  and  his  two  felawes  halp  hym  passyng 
wel.  And  soo  they  held  the  journey  everyche  in  lyke 
hard  tyl  it  was  ny^//t.  Thenne  must  they  nedes  departe.  10 
So  cam  in  a  good  knyghte  and  sayd  to  the  thre  felawes, 
"  Yf  ye  wyll  come  in  to  nyght,  and  take  suche  herberowe 
as  here  is,  ye  shal  be  ryght  welcome  ;  and  we  shall  ensure 
yow  by  the  feyth  of  our  bodyes,  and  as  we  be  true 
knyghtes,  to  leve  yow  in  suche  estat  to  morowe  as  we  15 
fynde  yow,  withoute  ony  falshede.  And  as  soone  as  ye 
knowe  of  the  custome  we  dare  say  ye  wyll  accorde." 
"  Therfor,  for  Goddes  love,"  said  the  gentylwoman,  "goo 
thyder  and  spare  not  for  me."  "  Go  we,"  sayd  Galahad, 
and  soo  they  entryd  in  to  the  chappel.  And  when  they  20 
were  alyghte  they  made  grete  joye  of  hem.  Soo  within  a 
whyle  the  thre  knyghtes  asked  the  customme  of  the 
castel,  and  wherefor  it  was.  "  What  hit  is,"  sayd  they, 
"  we  wille  saye  yow  sothe." 

Capitulum  yj. 

"  Ther  is  in  this  castel  a  gentylwoman  whiche  we  25 
and  this  castel  is  hers,  and  many  other.  Soo  it  befelle 
many  yeres  agone  there  fylle  upon  her  a  maladye. 
And  whanne  she  had  layne  a  grete  whyle,  she  felle  unto 
a  mesel,  and  of  no  leche  she  coude  have  no  remedy.  But 
at  the  last  an  old  man  sayd,  and  she  myght  have  a  dysshe  30 
ful  of  blood  of  a  mayde  and  a  ciene  vyrgyn  in  wylle  and 


142  /-/•;    MORTl:    DARTIIUR.  [1!(jok   XVII. 

in  werke,  and  a  kynges  doughtcr,  that  blood  sliold  be  her 
hele ;  and  for  to  anoynte  her  with  alle,  and  for  this 
thynge  was  this  customme  made.''  "  Now,"  said  Percy- 
vals  sister,  "  fayr  kny,s,'-//tes,  I  see  wel  thai  this  gentyl- 
5  woman  is  but  dede."  "  Certes,"  sayd  Galahad,  "  and  ye 
blede  soo  moche  ye  maye  dye."  "Truly,"  sayd  she, 
"  and  I  dye  for  to  hele  her,  I  shal  gete  me  grete  worship 
and  sowles  helthe,  and  worshyp  to  my  lygnage ;  and 
better  is  one  iuuine  than  tweyn.     And  therfor  ther  shall 

lo  be  no  more  batail,  but  to  morne  I  shall  yelde  yow  your 
customme  of  this  castel."  And  thenne  there  was  grete 
joye  more  than  there  was  to  fore.  For  els  had  there  ben 
mortal  werre  upon  the  morne,  not  withstandyng  she  wold 
none  other  whether  they  wold  or  nold.     That  nyght  were 

15  the  thre  felawes  easyd  with  the  best,  and  on  the  morne 
they  herd  masse,  and  Sir  Percyvals  sister  bad  brynge 
forth  the  seke  lady.  So  she  was,  the  whiche  was  evylle 
at  ease.  Thenne  sayd  she,  "  Who  shall  lete  me  blood  ?  " 
Soo  one  came  forth  and  lete  her  blood,  and  she  bled  soo 

20  moche  that  the  dysshe  was  ful.  Thenne  she  lyfte  up  her 
hand  and  blessid  her.  And  thenne  she  said  to  the  lady, 
"  Madame,  I  am  come  to  the  dethe  for  to  make  yow  hole  ; 
for  Goddes  love  prayeth  for  me."  With  that  she  felle  in 
a  swoune.     Thenne  Galahad  and  his  two  felawes  starte 

25  up  to  her,  and  lyfte  her  up  and  staunched  her ;  but  she 
had  bled  soo  moche  that  she  myght  not  lyve.  Thenne 
she  sayd  whan  she  was  awaked,  "  Fayre  broder  Percyval, 
I  dye  for  the  helynge  of  this  lady.  Soo  I  requyre  yow 
that  ye  berye  me  not  in  this  countrey,  but  as  soone  as  I 

39  am  dede  put  me  in  a  bote  at  the  next  haven,  and  lete  me 
goo  as  adventure  will  lede  me.  And  as  soone  as  ye  thre 
come  to  the  cyte  of  Sarras  ther  to  encheve  the  Holy 
Graile,  ye  shalle  fynde  me  under  a  towre  arryved,  and 
there  bery  me  in  the  spyrytual  place  ;   for  I  saye  yow  soo 


Chap.   XI. J     DEATH  Ol-  PERCKVAL'S  SISTER.  143 

moche,  there  Galah;id  shalle  be  buryed,  and  ye  also,  in 
the  same  place."  Thenne  Percy val  understood  these 
wordes,  and  graunted  it  her  wepynge.  And  thenne  sayd 
a  voyce,  "  Lordes  and  felawes,  to  morowe  at  the  houre  of 
pryme  ye  thre  shalle  departe  everyche  from  other  tyl  the  s 
adventure  brynge  yow  to  the  maymed  kynge."  Thenne 
asked  she  her  Saveour,  and  as  soone  as  she  had  receyved 
hit,  the  soule  departed  from  the  body.  Soo  the  same 
daye  was  the  lady  helyd  whan  she  was  enoynted  with 
alle.  Thenne  Syr  Percyvale  made  a  letter  of  all  that  she  lo 
had  holpen  hem  as  in  straunge  adventures,  and  put  hit 
in  her  ryght  hand  and  soo  leyd  her  in  a  barge,  and  coverd 
it  with  blak  sylke  ;  and  so  the  wynde  aroos,  and  drofe 
the  barge  from  the  lond,  and  alle  knyghtes  beheld  hit  tyl 
it  was  oute  of  their  syghte.  1 5 

Thenne  they  drewe  alle  to  the  castel,  and  soo  forthe 
with  ther  felle  a  sodeyne  tempest,  and  thonder,  layte,  and 
rayne  as  alle  the  erthe  wold  have  broken.  Soo  half  the 
castel  torned  up  soo  doune  ;  soo  it  passed  evensonge  or 
the  tempest  was  seaced.  Thenne  they  sawe  afore  hem  a  20 
knyghte  armed  and  wounded  hard  in  the  body  and  in  the 
hede,  that  sayd,  "'  O  God,  socoure  me,  for  now  it  is  nede." 
After  this  knyght  came  another  knyghte  and  a  dwerf 
whiche  cryed  to  hem  afer,  "'  Stand  !  ye  may  not  escape." 
Thenne  the  wounded  knyghte  held  up  his  handes  to  God,  25 
that  he  shold  not  dye  in  suche  trybulacyon.  "  Truly," 
sayd  Galahad,  "  I  shalle  socoure  hym  for  his  sake  that  he 
calleth  upon."  "  Sir,"  said  Bors,  "  I  shalle  doo  hit,  for 
it  is  not  for  yow,  for  he  is  but  one  knyghte."  "  Sir," 
sayd  he,  "  I  graunte."  So  Sir  Bors  toke  his  hors,  and  30 
commaunded  hym  to  God,  and  rode  after  to  rescowe  the 
wounded  knyghte. 

Now  tome  we  to  the  twr?  felawes. 


144  LE   MORTE   DARTHUR.  [Book  XVII. 


Capitulum  jij. 

Now  saith  the  story  that  al  nyght  Galahad  and  Percy- 
val  were  in  a  chappel  in  her  prayers,  for  to  save  Sir  Bors. 
Soo  on  the  morowe  they  dressid  hem  in  theire  harneis 
toward  the  castel,  to  wete  what  was  fallen  of  them  there 

S  in.  And  when  they  cam  there,  they  fond  neyther  man 
ne  woman  that  he  ne  was  dede  by  the  vengeaunce  of  oure 
Lord.  With  that  they  herd  a  voyce  that  sayd,  "  This 
vengeaunce  is  for  blood  shedynge  of  maydens."  Also 
they  fonde  atte  ende  of  the  chappel  a  chirche  yard,  and 

10  therin  myght  they  see  a  thre  score  fair  tombes,  and  that 
place  was  soo  fayre  and  soo  delectable  that  it  semed  hem 
there  had  ben  none  tempest.  For  there  lay  the  bodyes 
of  alle  the  good  maydens  whiche  were  martred  for  the 
seke  ladyes  sake.    Also  they  fond  the  names  of  everyche, 

15  and  of  what  blood  they  were  come,  and  alle  were  of 
kynges  blood,  and  twelve  of  them  were  kynges  doughters. 
Thenne  they  departed,  and  wente  in  to  a  foreste.  "  Now," 
said  Percyval  unto  Galahad,  "'  we  must  departe ;  soo  pray 
we  oure  Lord  that  we  maye  mete  to  gyders  in  short  tyme." 

20  Thenne  they  dyd  of  their  helmes,  and  kyssed  to  gyder, 
and  wepte  at  their  departynge. 

Capitulum  jiij. 

Now  sayth  the  history,  that  whan  Launcelot  was  come 

to  the  water  of  Mortoyse,  as  hit  is  reherced  before,  he 

was  in  grete  perylle,  and  soo  he  leyd   hym   doune   and 

25  slepte,  and  toke  the  adventure  that  God  wold  sende  hym. 

Soo  whan  he  was  a  slepe,  there  came  a  vysyon  unto 
hym  and  said,  "  Launcelot,  aryse  up  and  take  thyn 
armour,  and  entre  in  to  the  first   ship  that   thow  shalt 


Chap.  XIIL]        THE    WANDERING  SHIP.  145 

fynde."  And  when  he  herd  these  wordes,  he  starte  up 
and  sawe  grete  clerenes  about  hym.  And  thenne  he 
lyfte  up  his  hande  and  blessid  hym,  and  so  toke  his 
armes,  and  made  hym  redy.  And  soo  by  adventure  he 
came  by  a  stronde,  and  fonde  a  shyp  the  which  was  5 
withoute  sayle  or  ore.  And  as  soone  as  he  was  within 
the  shyp,  there  he  felte  the  moost  swetnes  that  ever  he 
felt ;  and  he  was  fulfylled  with  alle  thynge  that  he  thought 
on  or  desyred.  Thenne  he  sayd,  "  Fair  swete  Fader 
Jhesu  Cryst,  I  wote  not  in  what  joye  I  am,  for  this  joye  10 
passeth  alle  erthely  joyes  that  ever  I  was  in."  And  soo 
in  this  joye  he  leyd  hym  doune  to  the  shyps  borde  and 
slepte  tyl  day.  And  when  he  awoke,  he  fonde  there  a 
fayre  bed,  and  therin  lyenge  a  gentylwoman  dede,  the 
whiche  was  Syr  Percyvals  syster.  And  as  Launcelot  15 
devysed  her,  he  aspyed  in  hir  ryght  hand  a  wrytte,  the 
whiche  he  redde,  the  whiche  told  hym  all  the  adventures 
that  ye  have  herd  to  fore,  and  of  what  lygnage  she  was 
come.  Soo  with  this  gentylwoman  Sir  Launcelot  was  a 
moneth  and  more.  Yf  ye  wold  aske  how  he  lyved,  he  20 
that  fedde  the  peple  of  Israel  with  manna  in  deserte,  soo 
was  he  fedde.  For  every  day  when  he  had  sayd  his 
prayers,  he  was  susteyned  with  the  grace  of  the  Holy 
Ghoost. 

So  on  a  nyghte  he  wente  to  playe  hym  by  the  water  25 
syde,  for  he  was  somwhat  wery  of  the  shyp.  And  thenne 
he  lystned  and  herd  an  hors  come,  and  one  rydynge  upon 
hym.  And  whanne  he  cam  nygh  he  semed  a  knyghte. 
And  soo  he  lete  hym  passe,  and  wente  there  as  the  shyp 
was,  and  there  he  alyghte,  and  toke  the  sadel  and  the  30 
brydel  and  putte  the  hors  from  hym,  and  went  in  to  the 
ship.  And  thenne  Launcelot  dressid  unto  hym  and  said, 
"  Ye  be  welcome."  And  he  ansuerd  and  salewed  hym 
ageyne,  and  asked  hym,  "  What  is~your  name  1  for  moche 


146  LI-^   MORTK    DAKI/IL'K.  [IUm.k   X\II. 

my  hert  gyveth  unto  yow."  "  Truly,"  sayd  he,  "  my  name 
is  Launcelot  du  Lake."  "  Sir,"  saide  he,  "  the«ne  be  ye 
welcome,  for  ye  were  the  begynner  of  me  in  this  world." 
"  A,"  sayd  he,  "  ar  ye  Galahad  t  "  '"  Ye,  forsothe,"  sayd 
5  he  ;  and  so  he  kneled  doune  and  asked  hym  his  blessynge, 
and  after  toke  of  his  helme  and  kyssed  hym.  And  there 
was  grete  joye  bitwene  them,  for  there  is  no  tonge  can 
telle  the  joye  that  they  made  eyther  of  other,  and  many  a 
frendely  word  spoken  bitwene,  as  kynde  wold,  the  whiche 

10  is  no  nede  here  to  be  reherced.  And  there  everyche  told 
other  of  theire  adventures  and  merveils  that  were  befallen 
to  them  in  many  journeyes  sythe  that  they  departed  from 
the  courte.  Anone,  as  Galahad  sawe  the  gentilwoman 
dede  in  the  bed,  he  knewe  her  wel  ynough,  and  told  grete 

15  worship  of  her,  that  she  was  the  best  mayde  lyvyng,  and 
hit  was  grete  pyte  of  her  dethe.  But  whanne  Launcelot 
herd  how  the  merveylous  swerd  was  goten,  and  who  made 
hit,  and  alle  the  merveyls  reherced  afore,  thenne  he  prayd 
Galahad  his  sone  that  he  wold  shewe  hym  the  suerd,  and 

20  so  he  dyd.  And  anone  he  kyssed  the  pomel  and  the 
hyltes  and  the  scaubard.  "  Truly,"  sayd  Launcelot, 
"  never  erst  knewe  I  of  so  hyhe  adventures  done,  and  so 
merveyllous  and  straunge."  So  dwellid  Launcelot  and 
Galahad  within  that  shyp  half  a  yere,  and  served  God 

25  dayly  and  nyghtly  with  alle  their  power.     And  often  they 

aryved   in  yles  ferre  from   folke,  where   there  repayred 

none   but    wylde    beestes.      And    ther   they  fond    many 

straunge  adventures  and  peryllous,  whiche  they  broughte 

I   to  an  ende.      But  for  tho   adventures  were  with  wylde 

30  beestes,  and  not  in  the  quest  of  the  Sancgreal,  therfor 
the  tale  maketh  here  no  mencyon  therof,  for  it  wolde  be 
to  longe  to  telle  of  alle  tho  adventures  that  befelle  them. 


Chap.   XI V.J       LALWCELOJ'  OA    THE   SEA.  \Y, 


Capitulum  jiiij. 

Soo  after,  on  a  Mondaye,  hit  befelle  that  they  aryved 
in  the  edge  of  a  foreste,  to  fore  a  crosse,  and  thenne  sawe 
they  a  knyghte  armed  al  in  whyte,  and  was  rychely 
horsed,  and  ledde  in  his  ryght  hand  a  whyte  hors.  And 
soo  he  cam  to  the  shyp,  and  salewed  the  two  knyghtes  5 
on  the  hyghe  Lordes  behalf,  and  sayd,  "  Galahad,  syr,  ye 
have  ben  longe  ynough  with  your  fader,  come  oute  of  the 
ship,  and  starte  upon  this  hors,  and  goo  where  the 
adventures  shall  lede  the  in  the  quest  of  the  Sancgreal." 
Thenne  he  wente'to  his  fader,  and  kyst  hym  swetely,  and  10 
sayd,  "  Fair  swete  fader,  I  wote  not  whan  I  shal  see  you 
more,  tyl  I  see  the  body  of  Jhesu  Cryst."  "  I  praye  yow," 
sayd  Launcelot,  "  praye  ye  to  the  hyghe  Fader  that  he 
hold  me  in  his  servyse."  And  soo  he  took  his  hors  ;  and 
ther  they  herd  a  voyce  that  sayd,  "  Thynke  for  to  doo  15 
wel,  for  the  one  shal  never  see  the  other  before  the 
dredeful  day  of  dome."  "Now,  sone  Galahad,"  said 
Lau;/celot,  "  syn  we  shal  departe,  and  never  see  other,  I 
pray  to  th^  hy^//  Fader  to  conserve  me  and  yow  bothe." 
"  Sire,"  said  Galahad,  "  noo  prayer  avaylleth  soo  moche  20 
as  yours."  And  there  with  Galahad  entryd  in  to  the 
foreste.  And  the  wynde  aroos  and  drofe  Launcelot  more 
than  a  moneth  thurgh  oute  the  see,  where  he  slepte  but 
lytyl,  but  prayed  to  God  that  he  myght  see  some  tydynges 
of  the  Sancgreal.  25 

Soo  hit  befelle  on  a  nyghte  at  mydnyghte,  he  aryved 
afore  a  castel  on  the  bak  syde,  whiche  was  ryche  and 
fayre ;  and  there  was  a  posterne  opened  toward  the  see, 
and  was  open  withoute  ony  kepynge,  sauf  two  lyons  kept 
the  entre,  and  the  moone  shone  clere.  Anone  Sir  30 
Launcelot  herd  a  voyce  that  sayd,  "  Launcelot,  goo  oute 


148  LE  MORTE  D ARTHUR.         [Book  XVII. 

of  this  shyp  and  cntic  in  to  the  castel,  where  thou  shalt 
see  a  grete  parte  of  thy  desyre."  Thenne  he  ran  to  his 
amies  and  soo  armed  liym,  and  soo  wente  to  the  gate 
and  sawe  the  lyons.  Thenne  sette  he  hand  to  his  suerd, 
5  and  drewe  hit.  Thenne  there  came  a  dwerf  sodenly,  and 
smote  hym  on  the  harme^  so  sore  that  the  suerd  felle 
oute  of  his  hand.  Thenne  herd  he  a  voyce  say,  "  O  man 
of  evylle  feyth  and  poure  byleve,  wherfor  trowest  thow 
more  on  thy  harneis   than   in  thy  maker  ?  for  he  myghte 

lo  more  avayle  the  than  thyn  armour,  in  whos  servyse  that 
thou  arte  sette."  Thenne  said  Launcelot,  "'  Fay  u^  Fader 
Jhesu  Cryste,  I  thanke  the  of  thy  grete  mercy  that  thou 
reprevest  me  of  my  mysdede.  Now  see  I  wel  that  ye 
hold  me  for  youre  servaunt."     Thenne  toke  he  ageyne 

15  his  suerd,  and  putte  it  up  in  his  shethe,  and  made  a 
crosse  in  his  forhede,  and  came  to  the  lyons,  and  they 
made  seniblaunt  to  doo  hym  harme.  Notwithstandynge 
he  passed  by  hem  without  hurte,  and  entryd  in  to  the 
castel  to  the  chyef  fortresse,  and  there  where  ^  they  al  at 

20  rest.  Thenne  Launcelot  entryd  in  so  armed,  for  he  fond 
noo  gate  nor  dore  but  it  was  open.  And  at  the  last  he 
fond  a  chamber  wherof  the  dore  was  shytte,  and  he  sette 
his  hand  therto  to  have  opened  hit,  but  he  myghte  not. 

Capitulum  jv. 

Thenne  he  enforced  hym  mykel  to  undoo  the  dore. 

25  Thenne  he  lystned,  and  herd  a  voyce  whiche  sange  so 
swetely  that  it  semed  none  erthely  thynge ;  and  hym 
thoughte  the  voyce  said,  "  Joye  and  honour  be  to  the 
Fader  of  Heven."  Thenne  Launcelot  kneled  doun  to 
fore  the  chamber,   for  wel  wyst  he   that   there   was   the 

30  Sancgreal  within  that  chamber.     Thenne  sayd  he,  "  Fair 

^  Sic.  2  Read  Fay  re  ?  ^  Read  were  ? 


Chap.  X V.J    LA  UXCELOT  AND  THE  II OL  Y  GRAIL.         149 

swete  Fader  Jhesu  Cryst,  yf  ever  I  dyd  thyng  that  pleasyd 
the  Lord,  for  thy  pyte  ne  have  me  not  in  despyte  for  my 
synnes  done  afore  tyme,  and  that  thou  shewe  me  some 
thynge  of  that  I  seke."  And  with  that  he  sawe  the 
chamber  dore  open,  and  there  came  oute  a  grete  clerenes,  5 
that  the  hows  was  as  bryghte  as  all  the  torches  of  the 
world  had  ben  there.  So  cam  he  to  the  chamber  dore, 
and  wold  have  entryd.  And  anone  a  voyce  said  to  hym, 
"  Flee,  Launcelot,  and  entre  not,  for  thou  oughtest  not  to 
doo  hit ;  and  yf  thou  entre  thou  shalt  forthynke  hit."  10 
Thenne  he  withdrewe  hym  abak  ryght  hevy.  Thenne 
loked  he  up  in  the  myddes  of  the  chamber,  and  sawe  a 
table  of  sylver,  and  the  holy  vessel  coverd  with  reed 
samyte,  and  many  angels  aboute  hit,  wherof  one  helde  a 
candel  of  waxe  brennyng,  and  the  other  held  a  crosse  15 
and  the  ornementys  of  an  aulter.  And  bifore  the  holy 
vessel  he  sawe  a  good  man  clothed  as  a  preest,  and  it 
semed  that  he  was  at  the  sacrynge  of  the  masse.  And  it 
semed  to  Launcelot  that  above  the  preestes  handes  were 
thre  men,  wherof  the  two  putte  the  yongest  by  lykenes  20 
bitwene  the  preestes  handes,  and  soo  he  lyfte  hit  up 
ryght  hyhe,  and  it  semed  to  shewe  so  to  the  peple.  And 
thenne  Launcelot  merveyled  not  a  lytyl,  for  hym  thou^//t 
the  preest  was  so  gretely  charged  of  the  fygure,  that  hym 
semed  that  he  shold  falle  to  the  erthe.  And  whan  he  25 
sawe  none  aboute  hym  that  wolde  helpe  hym,  thenne 
came  he  to  the  dore  a  grete  paas  and  sayd,  "  Faire  Fader 
Jhesu  Cryst,  ne  take  hit  for  no  synne  though  I  helpe  the 
good  man,  whiche  hath  grete  nede  of  help."  Ryghte  soo 
entryd  he  in  to  the  chamber,  and  cam  toward  the  table  of  3° 
sylver,  and  whanne  he  came  nyghe  he  felte  a  brethe  that 
hym  thoughte  Iiit  was  entremedlcd  with  fyre,  whiche 
smote  hym  so  sore  in  the  vysage  that  hym  thoughte  it 
brente  his  vysage ;   and  there  with  he  felle  to  tiie  erthe, 


150  LE   MO  RTF.    nAA'/7/CA\  [Hook  XV  II. 

and  had  no  power  to  aryse,  as  he  that  was  soo  araged 
that  had  loste  the  power  of  his  body,  and  his  herynge, 
anil   his  seynge. 

Thenne  felte  he  many  handes  aboute  hym,  whiche 
5  tooke  hym  up  and  bare  hym  oute  of  the  chamber  dore, 
withoute  ony  amendynge  of  his  swoune,  and  lefte  hym 
there  semyng  dede  to^  al  peple.  Soo  upon  the  morowe, 
whan  it  was  fayre  day,  they  within  were  arysen,  and 
fonde  Launcelot  lyenge  afore  the  chamber  dore.      AUe 

10  they  merveylled  how  that  he  cam  in  ;  and  so  they  loked 
upon  hym,  and  felte  his  pouse  to  wyte  whether  there  were 
ony  lyf  in  hym  ;  and  soo  they  fond  lyf  in  hym,  but  he 
myght  not  stande  nor  stere  no  membre  that  he  had ;  and 
soo  they  tooke  hym  by  every  parte  of  the  body,  and  bare 

15  hym  in  to  a  chamber,  and  leyd  hym  in  a  ryche  bedde 
ferre  from  alle  folke  ;  and  soo  he  lay  four  dayes.  Thenne 
the  one  sayd  he  was  on  lyve,  and  the  other  sayd,  "  Nay," 
"  In  the  name  of  God,"  sayd  an  old  man,  "  for  I  doo  yow 
veryly  to  wete  he  is  not  dede,  but  he  is  soo  fulle  of  lyf  as 

20  the  myghtyest  of  yow  alle,  and  therfor  I  counceylle  yow 
that  he  be  wel  kepte  tyl  God  send  hym  lyf  ageyne." 

Capitulum  icv\. 

In  suche  maner  they  kepte  Launcelot  four  and  twenty 
dayes,  and  also  many  nyghtes,  that  ever  he  laye  stylle  as 
a  dede  man  ;  and  at  the  xxv  daye  byfelle  hym  after  myd- 
25  daye  that  he  opened  his  eyen.  And  whan  he  sawe  folke 
he  made  grete  sorowe,  and  sayd,  "  Why  have  ye  awaked 
me  ?  for  I  was  more  at  ease  than  I  am  now.  O  Jhesu 
Cryst,  who  myghte  be  soo  blessid  that  myght  see  openly 
thy  grete  merveyls  of  secretenes  there  where  no  synnar 

^  After  to  the  words,  "  of  the  chamber  dore  and  lefte  hym  there 
semynge  dede  to"  are  repeated. 


Chap.  XVI.]    LAUNCELOT  ACHIEVES  THE  QUEST.     151 

may  be?"      "What  have   ye  sene  ?  "  sayd  they  aboute 
hym.     "  I  have  sene,"  said  he,  "  so  grete  merveyls  that 
no  long  may  telle,  and  more  than  ony  herte  can  thynke, 
and   had  not  my  sone   ben  here  afore  me  I  had  sene 
moche  more."     Thenne  they  told  hym  how  he  had  layne    5 
there  four  and  twenty  dayes  and  nyghtes.     Thenne  hym 
thoughte  hit  was  punysshement  for  the  four  and  twenty 
yeres  that  he  had  ben  a  synner,  wherfore  our  Lord  put 
hym  in  penaunce  four  and   twenty  dayes   and   nyghtes. 
Thenne  loked  Syr  Launcelot  afore  hym,  and   sawe   the  10 
hayre  whiche  he  had  borne  nyghe  a  yere,  for  that  he 
forthoughte  hym   ry^V^te  moche  that  he  had  broken  his 
promyse  unto  the   heremyte,  whiche  he  had  avowed  to 
doo.     Thenne  they  asked  how  hit  stood  with  hym.    "  For 
sothe,"  sayd  he,  "I  am  hole  of  body,  thanked  be   our  15 
Lord.     Therfore,  syrs,  for  Goddes  love  telle  me  where 
that  I  am."     Thenne  sayd  they  alle  that  he  was  in  the 
castel  of  Carbonek.      There  with  came  a  gentylwoman, 
and  brought  hym  a  sherte  of  smal  lynen  clothe,  but  he 
chaunged  not  there,  but  toke  the  hayre  to  hym  ageyne.  20 
"  Sir,"  sayd  they,  "  the  quest  of  the  Sancgreal  is  encheved 
now  ryght  in  yow,  that  never  shalle  ye  see  of  the  Sanc- 
greal nomore  than  ye  have  sene."    "  Now  I  thanke  God," 
said  Launcelot,  "  of  his  grete  mercy,  of  that  I  have  sene, 
for  it  suffyseth  me  ;   for,  as  I  suppose,  no  man  in  this  25 
w^orld  hath  lyved  better  than  I  have  done  to  enchere'  that 
I  have  done."      And  ther  with  he  took  the  hayre  and 
clothed  hym  in  hit,  and  above  that  he  put  a  lynen  sherte, 
and    after   a  robe   of  scarlet  fresshe    and    newe.      And 
whanne  he  was  soo  arayed  they  merveylled  alle,  for  they  30 
knewe  hym  that  he  was  Launcelot,  the  good  knyghte. 
And  thenne  they  sayd  alle,  "  O  my  lord  Sir  Launcelot,  be 
that  ye  ?  "     And   he   sayd,  "  Truly  I  am  he."     Thenne 

^  Read  encheve. 


152  LE   iMORTF.    DARTIIUR.  [Book  XVII. 

came  word  to  kyng  Pelles,  that  the  knyght  that  had  layne 
soo  longe  dede  was  Sir  Launcelot.  Thenne  was  the 
kynge  ryght  glad,  and  wente  to  see  hym.  And  whanne 
Launcelot  sawe  hym  come,  he  dressid  hym  ageynste  hym, 
5  and  there  made  the  kyng  grete  joye  of  hym,  and  there 
the  kynge  told  hym  tydynges,  that  his  fayre  doughter  was 
dede.  Thenne  Launcelot  was  ryght  hevy  of  hit,  and 
sayd,  "  Syre,  me  forthynketh  of  the  dethe  of  your 
doughter,  for  she  was  a  ful  fayre  lady,  fresshe  and  yonge, 

10  and  wel  I  wote  she  here  the  best  knyghte  that  is  now  on 
erthe  or  that  ever  was  silh  God  was  borne."  So  the 
kynge  held  hym  there  four  dayes,  and  on  the  morowe  he 
took  his  leve  at  kynge  Pelles,  and  at  al  the  felauship,  and 
thanked  them  of  the  grete  labour.     Ryghte  soo  as  they 

15  sat  at  her  dyner  in  the  chyef  sale,  thenne  was  so  befalle 
that  the  Sancgreal  had  fulfylled  the  tables  with  al  maner 
of  metes  that  ony  herte  myghte  thynke.  Soo  as  they 
sate,  they  sawe  alle  the  dores  and  the  wyndowes  of  the 
place  were   shitte  withoute   mannys   hand ;   wherof  they 

20  were  al  abasshed,  and  none  wyste  what  to  doo. 

And  thenne  it  happed  sodenly  a  knyghte  cam  to  the 
chyefe  dore,  and  knocked,  and  cryed,  "  Undo  the  dore," 
but  they  wold  not.  And  ever  he  cryed,  "  Undoo  !  "  but 
they  wold  not.     And  atte  laste  it  noyed  hem  soo  moche 

25  that  the  kynge  hym  self  arose  and  came  to  a  wyndowe 
there  where  the  knyght  called.  Thenne  he  said,  "  Syr 
knyght,  ye  shall  not  entre  at  this  tyme,  whyle  the  Sanc- 
greal is  here,  and  therfor  goo  in  to  another.  For  certes 
ye  be  none  of  the  kny^//tes  of  the  quest,  but  one  of  them 

30  whiche  hath  served  the  fende,  and  hast  lefte  the  servyse 
of  oure  Lord";  and  he  was  passynge  wrothe  at  the 
kynges  wordes.  "  Sir  knyght,"  sayd  the  kynge,  "  syn  ye 
wold  so  fayn  entre,  saye  me  of  what  cou^trey  ye  be." 
"  Sir,"  sayd  he,  "  I  am  of  the  realme  of  Logrys,  and  my 


Chap.  XVII.]      THE  TOMB  OF  BAGDEMAGUS.  153 

name  is  Ector  de  Marys,  and  broder  unto  my  lord  Sir 
Lau«celot."  "  In  the  name  of  God,"  sayd  the  kynge, 
"  me  forthynketh  of  that  I  have  sayd,  for  youre  broder  is 
here  within."  And  whan  Ector  de  Marys  understood 
that  his  broder  was  there,  for  he  was  the  man  in  the  S 
world  that  he  moost  dredde  and  loved,  and  thenne  he 
sayd,  "  A,  God  now  doubleth  my  sorowe  and  shame  :  ful 
truly  sayd  the  good  man  of  the  hylle  unto  Gawayne  and 
to  me  of  oure  dremes."  Thenne  wente  he  oute  of  the 
courte  as  fast  as  his  hors  myghte,  and  soo  thurgh  oute  lo 
the  castel. 

'  Capitulum  jvij. 

Thenne  kynge  Pelles  came  to  Sire  Launcelot,  and  told 
hym  tydynges  of  his  broder,  wherof  he  was  sory  that  he 
wyste  not  what  to  doo.     Soo  Sir  Launcelot  departed,  and 
toke  his  armes,  and  sayd  he  wold  goo  see  the  realme  of  15 
Logrys,  — "  whiche  I  have  not  sene  in  twelve  moneth." 
And  there  with  commaunded  the  kynge  to  God,  and  soo 
rode  thurgh  many  realmes.    And  at  the  last  he  came  to  a 
whyte   abbay;    and   there   they  made   hym    that    nyghte 
grete   chere.      And   on   the   morne   he    aroos    and    herd  20 
masse,  and  afore  an  aulter  he  fond  a  ryche  tombe  whiche 
was  newely  made.     And  thenne  he  took  hede,  and  sawe 
the  sydes  wryten  with  gold,  whiche  sayd  :  "  Here  lyeth 
kynge  Bagdemagus  of  Gore,  whiche  kynge  Arthurs  nevew 
slewe,"  and  named  hym   Syr  Gawayn.     Thenne  was  not  25 
he  a  lytel  sory,  for   Launcelot   loved   hym  moche  more 
than  ony  other,  and  had  it  ben  ony  other  than  Gawayn, 
he  shold  not  have  escared^  from  dethe  to  lyf ;  and  sayd 
to  hym  self,  "  A,  Lord  God,  this  is  a  grete  hurte  unto 
kynge  Arthurs  courte.  the  losse  of  suche  a  man."     And  30 
thenne  he  departed,  and  came  To  the  abbay  where  Gata-- 

1  Read  escaped.  '^  Sic. 


154  LE   MORTE   DARTHUR.  [Book  XVII. 

had  dyd  the  adventure  of  the  tombes,  and  wanne  the 
whyte  sheld  with  the  reed  crosse,  and  there  had  he  grete 
chare  alle  that  nyghte.  And  on  the  morne  he  torned 
unto  Camelot,  where  he  fonde  kynge  Arthur  and  the 
5  quene.  But  many  of  the  knyghtes  of  the  Round  Table 
were  slayne  and  destroyed,  more  than  half.  And  soo 
thre  were  come  home,  Ector,  Gawayne,  and  Lyonel,  and 
many  other  that  neden  not  to  be  reherced,  and  alle  the 
courte  was  passyng  gladde  of  Syr  Launcelot.     And  the 

lo  kynge  asked  hyni  many  tydynges  of  his  sone  Galahad, 
and  ther  Launcelot  told  the  kynge  of  his  adventures  that 
had  befallen  hym  syn  he  departed  ;  and  also  he  told  hym 
of  the  adventures  of  Galahad,  Percyvale,  and  Bors, 
whiche  that  he  knewe  by  the  letter  of  the  dede  damoysel, 

15  and  as  Galahad  had  told  hym.     "Now,  God  wold,"  sayd 
the  kynge,  "  that  they  were  all  thre  here."     "  That  shalle 
never  be,"  said  Launcelot,  "for  two  of  hem  shalle   ye 
never  see,  but  one  of  hem  shalle  come  ageyne." 
Now  leve  we  this  story  and  speke  of  Galahad. 

CapitiUum  jviij. 

20  Now  saith  the  story,  Galahad  rode  many  journeyes 
invayne,  and  at  the  last  he  cam  to  the  abbay  where  kyng 
Mordrayns  was.  And  whan  he  herd  that,  he  thou^//te 
he  wold  abyde  to  see  hym.  And  upon  the  morne,  whanne 
he  had  herd  masse,  Galahad  came  unto  kyng  Mordrayns. 

25  And  anon  the  kynge  sawe  hym,  the  whiche  had  leyne 
blynd  of  long  tyme.  And  thenne  he  dressid  hym  ageynst 
hym,  and  said,  "  Galahad,  the  servaunt  of  Jhesu  Cryste, 
whos  comynge  I  have  abyden  so  longe,  now  enbrace  me, 
and   lete   me   reste   on   thy  brest,   so   that   I   may  reste 

30  bitwene  thyn  armes,  for  thow  arte  a  clene  vyrgyn  above 
all  knyghtes,  as  the  floure  of  the  lyly,  in  whome  vyrgynyte 


Chap.  Will.]     GALAHAD  BL'KIES    MORDKAYNS.         155 

is  sygnefyed,  and  thou  arte  the  rose,  the  whiche  is  the 
floure  of  al  good  vertu,  and  in  coloure  of  fyre.  For  the 
fyre  of  the  Holy  Ghoost  is  take  so  in  tlie,  that  my  flesshe, 
which  was  al  dede  of  oldenes,  is  become  yonge  ageyne." 
Thenne  Galahad  herd  his  wordes,  thenne  he  enbraced  5 
hym  and  alle  his  body.  Thenne  sayd  he,  "  Faire  Lord 
Jhesu  Cryst,  now  I  have  my  wil,  now  I  requyre  the  in 
this  poynt  that  I  am  in,  thow  come  and  vysyte  me."  And 
anone  oure  Lord  herd  his  prayer  :  there  with  the  soule 
departed  from  the  body.  And  thenne  Galahad  putte  10 
hym  in  the  erthe  as  a  kynge  oughte  to  be ;  and  soo 
departede,  and  soo  came  in  to  a  perillous  foreste,  where 
he  fond  the  welle,  the  whiche  boylled  with  grete  wawes, 
as  the  tale  telleth  to  fore.  And  as  soone  as  Galahad 
sette  his  hand  therto  it  seaced,  so  that  it  brente  no  more,  15 
and  the  hete  departed ;  for  that  it  brente  hit  was  a  sygne 
of  lechery,  the  whiche  was  that  tyme  moche  used,  but 
that  hete  myght  not  abyde  his  pure  vyrgyntye ;  and  this 
was  taken  in  the  countrey  for  a  myrakle.  And  soo  ever 
after  was  it  called  Callahadys  welle.  20 

Thenne  by  adventure  he  cam  in  to  the  countrey  of 
Gore,  and  in  to  the  abbay  where  Launcelot  had  ben  to 
fore  hand,  and  fonde  the  tombe  of  kynge  Bagdemagus 
(but  he  was  founder  therof,  Joseph  of  Armathyes  sone) 
and  the  tombe  of  Symyan  where  Launcelot  had  fayled.  25 
Thenne  he  loked  in  to  a  crofte  under  the  mynster,  and 
there  he  sawe  a  tombe  whiche  brent  ful  merveyllously. 
Thenne  asked  he  the  bretheren  what  it  was.  "  Sir,"  said 
they,  "  a  merveyll&us  adventur  that  may  not  be  broughte 
unto  none  ende  but  by  hym  that  passeth  of  bounte  and  30 
of  knyghthode  al  them  of  the  Round  Table."  "  I  wold," 
sayd  Galahad,  "  that  ye  wold  lede  me  ther  to."  "  Gladly," 
sayd  they ;  and  soo  ledde  hym  tyl  a  cave ;  and  he  went 
doune  upon  gresys,  and  cam  nyghe  the  tombe,  and  thenne 


156  LE   MORI'K   D ARTHUR.  [Book  XVII. 

the  flammynge  fayled  and  the  fyre  staunched,  the  whiche 
many  a  day  had  ben  grete.  Thenne  came  there  a  voyce 
that  sayd,  "  Moche  are  ye  beholde  to  thanke  oure  Lord, 
the  whiche  hath  gyven  yow  a  good  houre,  that  ye  may 

5  drawe  oute  the  sowles  of  erthely  payne  and  to  putte  them 
in  to  the  joyes  of  Paradys.  I  am  of  your  kynred,  the 
whiche  have  dwelled  in  this  hete  thys  thre  honderd 
wyntcr  and  four  and  fyfty,  to  be  purged  of  the  synne 
that  I  dyd  ageynst  Joseph  of  Armathye."     Thenne  Gala- 

10  had  toke  the  body  in  his  armes,  and  bare  it  in  to  the 
mynster.  And  that  nyghte  lay  Galahad  in  the  abbay ; 
and  on  the  morne  he  gaf  hym  servyse,  and  putte  hym  in 
the  erthe  afore  the  hyghe  aulter. 

Capitulum  ji|, 

Soo  departed   he   from  thens,  and   commaunded    the 

15  bretheren  to  God,  and  soo  he  rode  fyve  dayes  tyl  that  he 
came  to  the  maymed  kynge,  and  ever  folowed  Percyval 
the  fyve  dayes,  askynge  where  he  had  ben,  and  soo  one 
told  hym  how  the  adventures  of  Logrys  were  encheved. 
So  on  a  daye  it  befelle  that  they  cam  oute  of  a  grete 

20  foreste,  and  there  they  mette  at  travers  with  Sir  Bors,  the 
whiche  rode  alone.  Hit  is  none  nede  to  telle  yf  they 
were  glad,  and  hem  he  salewed,  and  they  yelded  hym 
honour  and  good  adventure ;  and  everyche  told  other. 
Thenne   said   Bors,  "  Hit   is   more  than  a  yere   and   an 

25  half  that  I  ne  lay  ten  tymes  where  men  dwelled,  but  in 
wylde  forestes  and  in  montayns,  but  God  was  ever  my 
comforte." 

Thenne  rode  they  a  grete  whyle  tyl  that  they  came  to 
the  castel  of  Carbonek.       And  whan    they  were   entryd 

30  within  the  castel  kynge  Pelles  knewe  hem.  Thenne  there 
was  grete  joye,  for  they  wyst  wel  by  theire  comynge  that 


Chap.  XIX.]  THE  BROKEN  SWORD.  157 

they  had  fulfylled  the  quest  of  the   Sancgreal.     Thenne 
Elyazar,   kynge   Pelles  sone,  broughte  to   fore    hem    the 
broken  suerd  where  with  Joseph  was  stryken  thurgh  the 
thygh.      Thenne   Bors  sette  his  hand  therto,   yf  that  he 
myght    have    souded    hit    ageyne,    but    it   wold    not   be.     5 
Thenne  he  took  it  to  Percyval,  but  he  had  no  more  power 
therto  than  he.     "  Now  have  ye  hit  ageyne,"  sayd  Percy- 
vail  to  Galahad,  "for  and  it  be  ever  encheved  by  ony 
bodely  man,  ye  must  doo  hit."     And  thenne  he  took  the 
pyeces  and  sette  hem  to  gyders,  and  they  semed  that  they  10 
had  never  ben  broken,  and  as  well  as  hit  had  ben  fyrst 
forged.     And  whanne  they  within  aspyed  that  the  adven- 
ture of  the  suerd  was  encheved,  thenne  they  gaf  the  suerd 
to  Bors,  for  hit  myght  not  be  better  set,   for  he  was  a 
good  knyghte  and  a  worthy  man.     And  a  lytel  afore  even  15 
the  suerd  arose  grete  and  merveyllous,  and  was  ful  of 
grete  hete,  that  many  men  felle  for  drede.     And  anone 
alyght  a  voys  amonge  them,  and  sayd,  "  They  that  ought 
not  to  sytte  at  the  table  of  Jhesu  Cryst  aryse,  for  now 
shalle  veray  knyghtes  ben  fedde."     Soo  they  wente  thens,  20 
all  sauf  kynge  Pelles  and  Elyazar  his  sone,  the  whiche 
were  holy  men,  and  a  mayde  which  was  his  nece.     And 
soo  these  thre  felawes  and  they  thre  were  there,  no  mo. 
Anone  they  sawe  knyghtes  al  armed  came  in  at  the  halle 
dore,  and  dyd  of  their  helmes  and  their  armes,  and  sayd  25 
unto  Galahad,  "  Sire,  we  have  hyed  ryght  moche  for  to 
be  with  yow  at  this  table  where  the  holy  mete  shalle  be 
departed."      Thenne  sayd  he,  "  Ye  be  welcome,  but  of 
whens  be   ye  ?  "      So   thre   of  them   sayd  they  were   of 
Gaule,  and  other  thre  sayd  they  were  of  Irland,  and  the  30 
other  thre  sayd  they  were  of  Denmarke.     So  as  they  satte 
thus,  there  came  oute  a  bed  of  tree  of  a  chamber,  the 
whiche  four  gentylwymmen  broughte,  and  in  the  bed  lay 
a  good  man  seke,  and  a  crowne  of  gold  upon  his  hede, 


15S  LE  MORTE   DARTIIUR.  [Book  X\I[. 

and  there  in  the  niyddes  of  the  place  they  sette  hym 
doune,  and  wente  ageyne  their  waye.  Thenne  he  lyfte 
up  his  hede  and  sayd,  "  Galahad,  knyght,  ye  be  welcome, 
for  moche  have  I  desyred  your  comynge,  for  in  suche 
5  payne  and  in  suche  anguysshe  I  have  ben  longe.  But 
now  1  truste  to  God  the  terme  is  come  that  my  payn  shall 
be  alayed,  that  I  shall  passe  oute  of  this  world  so  as  it 
was  promysed  me  longe  ago."  There  with  a  voyce  sayd, 
'"  Ther  be  two  amonge  you  that  be  not  in  the  quest  of  the 
10  Sancgreal,  and  therfor  departe  ye." 

(Xapitulum  jj, 

Thenne  kynge  Pelles  and  his  sone  departed ;  and 
there  with  alle  besemed  that  there  cam  a  man  and  four 
angels  from  heven  clothed  in  lykenes  of  a  bisshop,  and 
had  a  crosse  in  his  hand,  and  these  foure  angels  bare 

15  hym  up  in  a  chayer,  and  sette  hym  doune  before  the  table 
of  sylver  where  upon  the  Sancgreal  was,  and  it  semed 
that  he  had  in  myddes  of  his  forhede  letters,  the  whiche 
sayd,  "  See  ye  here  Joseph,  the  fyrst  bisshop  of  Crysten- 
dome,  the  same  whiche  our  Lord  socoured  in  the  cyte  of 

20  Sarras,  in  the  spyrytuel  place."  Thenne  the  knyghtes 
merveylled,  for  that  bisshop  was  dede  more  than  thre 
honderd  yere  to  fore.  "  O  knyghtes,"  sayde  he,  "  merveyle 
not,  for  I  was  somtyme  an  erthely  man."  With  that  they 
herde    the    chamber    dore    open,    and    there    they    sawe 

25  angels,  and  two  bare  candels  of  waxe,  and  the  thyrd  a 
towel,  and  the  fourthe  a  spere,  whiche  bled  merveillously, 
that  thre  droppes  felle  within  a  boxe  whiche  he  helde 
with  [his]  other  hand.  And  they  sette  the  candels  upon 
the  table,  and  the  thyrd  the  towel  upon  the  vessel,  and 

30  the  fourth  the  holy  spere  even  up  ryghte  upon  the  vessel. 
And  thenne  the  bisshop  made  semblaunt  as  X\iQwgh  he 


Chap.  XX.]  THE   HOLY   VESSEL.  159 

wold  have  gone  to  the  sacrynge  of  the  masse.  And 
thenne  he  tooke  an  ubblye,  whiche  was  made  in  lykenes 
of  breed.  And  at  the  lyftynge  up  there  came  a  fygur  in 
lykenes  of  a  chyld,  and  the  vysage  was  as  reed  and  as 
bryghte  as  ony  fyre,  and  smote  hym  self  in  to  the  breed,  s 
so  that  they  all  sawe  hit  that  the  breed  was  formed  of  a 
flesshely  man,  and  thenne  he  putte  hit  in  to  the  holy 
vessel  ageyne,  and  thenne  he  dyd  that  longed  to  a  preest 
to  doo  to  a  masse.  And  thenne  he  wente  to  Galahad 
and  kyssed  hym,  and  badde  hym  goo  and  kysse  his  lo 
felawes,  and  soo  he  dyd  anone.  "  Now,"  sayd  he, 
"  servauntes  of  Jhesu  Cryste,  ye  shall  be  fedde  afore  this 
table  with  swete  metes  that  never  knyghtes  tasted."  And 
whanne  he  had  sayd,  he  vanysshed  awey. 

And  they  sette  hem  at  the  table  in  grete  drede,  and  15 
made  their  prayers.     Thenne  loked  they  and  sawe  a  man 
come  oute  of  the  holy  vessel,  that  had  alle  the  sygnes  of 
the  passion  of  Jhesu  Cryste,  bledynge  alle  openly,  and 
sayd,   "  My  knyghtes    and    my  servauntes    and    my  true 
children,   whiche    ben    come    oute    of   dedely    lyf    in    to  20 
spyrytual  lyf,  I  wyl  now  no  lenger  hyde  me  from  yow, 
but  ye  shal  see  now  a  parte  of  my  secretes  and  of  my 
hydde  thynges  :    now  holdeth  and  receyveth  the  hyghe 
mete  whiche  ye  have  soo  moche  desyred."     Thenne  took 
he  hym  self  the  holy  vessel  and  came  to  Galahad,  and  25 
he  kneled  doune,  and  there  he  receyved  his  Saveour ;  and 
after  hym  soo  receyved  alle  his  felawes,  and  they  thoughte 
it  soo  swete  that  hit  was  merveillous  to  telle.     Thenne 
sayd  he   to   Galahad,   "  Sone,   wotest   thow  what    I    hold 
betwixe  my  handes .' "     "Nay,"  sayd  he,  "but  yf  ye  will  30 
telle  me."     "  This  is,"  sayd  he,  "  the  holy  dysshe  wherin 
I  ete  the  lanibe  on  Sherthursdaye.     And  now  hast  thou 
sene  that  thou  most  desyred  to  see,  but  yet  haste  thou 
not  sene  hit  soo  openly  as  thow^shalt  see  it  in  the  cyte  of 


160  LE  MORTE   DARTJICR.  [Book  XVII. 

Sarras,  in  the  spyrituel  place.  Therfore  thow  must  go 
hens  and  bere  with  the  this  holy  vessel,  for  this  nyght  it 
shalle  departe  from  the  realme  of  Logrys,  that  it  shalle 
never  be  sene  more  here.  And  wotest  thou  wherfor  ?  for 
5  he  is  not  served  nor  worshypped  to  his  ryghte  by  them  of 
this  land,  for  they  be  torned  to  evylle  lyvynge  ;  therfor  I 
shall  dishcryte  them  of  the  honour  whiche  I  have  done 
hem.  And  therfore  goo  ye  thre  to  morowe  unto  the  see, 
where  ye  shal  fynde  your  shyp  redy,  and  with  you  take 

lo  the  suerd  with  the  straunge  gyrdels,  and  no  mo  with  yow 
but  Sire  Percyval  and  Syre  Bors.  Also  I  will  that  ye 
take  with  you  of  the  blood  of  this  spere,  for  to  enoynte 
the  maymed  kynge,  bothe  his  legges  and  alle  his  body, 
and   he   shalle   have   his   hele."     "  Sire,"  sayd  Galahad, 

15  "  why  shalle  not  these  other  felawes  goo  with  us  ?  "  "'  For 
this  cause ;  for  ryght  as  I  departed  my  postels,  one  here 
and  another  there,  soo  I  wille  that  ye  departe.  And  two 
of  yow  shalle  dye  in  my  servyse,  but  one  of  yow  shal 
come  ageyne,  and  telle  tydynges."     Thenne  gaf  he  hem 

20  his  blessynge  and  vanysshed  awaye, 

Capitulum  jjj. 

And  Galahad  wente  anone  to  the  spere  whiche  lay 
upon  the  table,  and  touched  the  blood  with  his  fyngers, 
and  came  after  to  the  maymed  kynge,  and  anoynted  his 
legges.    And  there  with  he  clothed  hym  anone,  and  starte 

25  upon  his  feet  oute  of  his  bedde  as  an  hole  man,  and 
thanked  oure  Lorde  that  he  had  helyd  hym.  And  that 
was  not  to  the  world  ward  ;  for  anone  he  yelded  hym  to 
a  place  of  relygyon  of  whyte  monkes,  and  was  a  ful  holy 
man.     That  same  nyghte  aboute  mydnyght  came  a  voyce 

30  amonge  hem  whiche  sayde,  "  My  sones  and  not  my  chyef 
sones,   my  frendes  and  not  my  werryours,  goo  ye  hens 


Chap.  XXL]      THE   MAIMED   KING   HEALED.  161 

where  ye  hope  best  to  doo  and  as  I  bad  yow."  "  A, 
thanked  be  thou,  Lord,  that  thou  wih  vouchesaufe  to 
calle  us  thy  synners.  Now  maye  we  wel  preve  that  we 
have  not  lost  our  paynes." 

And  anone  in   alle  haste  they  took  their  harneis  and     5 
departed.     But  the  thre  knyghtes  of  Gaule,  one  of  them 
hyghte  Claudyne,  kynge  Claudas  sone,  and  the  other  two 
were  grete  gentylmen.    Thenne  praid  Galahad  to  everyche 
of  them,  that  yf  they  come  to  kynge  Arthurs  court,  that 
they  sholde  salewe  "  my  lorde  Sir  Launcelot  my  fader,"  10 
and  of  hem  of  the  Round  Table,  and  prayed  hem  yf  that 
they  cam  on   that  party  that   they  shold  not  forgete  it. 
Ryght   soo   departed  Galahad,  Percyval,  and  Bors  with 
hym,  and  soo  they  rode  thre  dayes,  and  thenne  they  came 
to  a  ryvage  and  fonde  the  shyp  wherof  the  tale  speketh  15 
of  to  fore.     And  whanne  they  cam   to   the  borde,  they 
fonde  in  the  myddes  the  table  of  sylver  whiche  they  had 
lefte  with  the  maymed  kynge,  and  the  Sancgreal  whiche 
was  coverd  with  rede  samyte.     Thenne  were  they  gladde 
to  have  suche  thynges  in  theyr  felaushyp,  and  soo  they  20 
entryd,  and  maade  grete  reverence  ther  to,  and  Galahad 
felle  in  his  prayer  longe  tyme  to  oure  Lord,  that  at  what 
tyme  he  asked  that  he  shold  passe  out  of  this  world.     Soo 
moche  he  prayd,  tyl  a  voyce  sayd  to  hym,  "  Galahad,  thou 
shalt  have  thy  request,  and  whan  thow  askest  the  dethe  25 
of  thy  body  thou  shalt  have  it,   and   thenne  shalt  thow 
fynde  the  lyf   of  the  soule."       Percyval    herd   this,  and 
prayd  hym  of  felauship  that  was  bitwene  them,  to  telle 
hym  wherfor  he  asked  suche  thynges.     "  That  shalle  I 
telle  yow,"  said  Galahad  :  "  thother  day  whanne  we  sawe  30 
a  parte  of  the  adventures  of  the  Sancgreal,  1  was  in  suche 
a  joye  of   herte  that   1   trowe  never   man  was  that  was 
erthely,  and  therfore   I   wote  wel  whan  my  body  is  dede 
my   sowle   shalle   be    in   grete    joye    to    see    the    blessid 


162  /./•-■    MOR'J-r.    /KIA'T//i'A\  [P.ook    XVll. 

I'rynyto  every  day,  aiul  the  inageste  of  ouie  Lord  Jhesu 
Cryst."  Soo  longe  were  they  in  the  shyp  that  they  sayd 
to  Galahad,  "  Syr.  in  this  bedde  ought  ye  to  lye,  for  soo 
saith  the  scrypture";  and  soo  he  leyd  hyni  doune  and 
5  slepte  a  grete  whyle.  And  whan  he  awaked  he  loked 
afore  hym,  and  sawe  the  cyte  of  Sarras.  And  as  they 
wold  have  landed,  they  sawe  the  shyp  wherein  Percyval 
had  putte  his  syster  in.  "Truly,"  sayd  Percyval,  "in  the 
name  of  God,  wel  hath  my  syster  holden  us  covenaunt." 

10  Thenne  toke  they  out  of  the  ship  the  table  of  sylver, 
and  he  tooke  it  to  Percyval  and  to  Bors  to  goo  to  fore, 
and  Galahad  came  behynde,  and  ryght  soo  they  went  to 
the  cyte,  and  at  the  gate  of  the  cyte  they  sawe  an  old 
man  croked.     Thenne  Galahad  called  hym  and  bad  hym, 

IS  "Helpe  to  bere  this  hevy  thynge."  "Truly,"  said  the  old 
man,  "  it  is  ten  yere  ago  that  I  myg/ii  not  goo  but  with 
crouchys."  "  Care  thou  not,"  sayd  Galahad,  "  and  aryse 
up  and  shewe  thy  good  wille."  And  soo  he  assayed,  and 
fonde  hym  self  as  hole  as  ever  he  was.     Thenne  ranne 

20  he  to  the  table,  and  took  one  parte  ageynst  Galahad. 
And  anone  arose  there  grete  noyse  in  the  cyte,  that  a 
cryppyl  was  maadfe  hole  by  knyghtes  merveyls  that  entryd 
in  to  the  cyte.  Thenne  anon  after,  the  thre  knyghtes 
w-ente  to  the  water,  and  broughte  up  in   to  the  paleys 

25  Percyvals  syster,  and  buryed  her  as  rychely  as  a  kynges 
doughter  oughte  to  be.  And  whan  the  kynge  of  the 
cyte,  whiche  was  cleped  Estorause,  sawe  the  felaushyp, 
he  asked  hem  of  whens  they  were,  and  what  thyng  it  was 
that  they  had  broughte  upon  the  table  of  sylver.     And 

30  they  told  hym  the  trouthe  of  the  Sancgreal,  and  the 
power  whiche  that  God  had  sette  there.  Thenne  the 
kynge  was  a  tyraunt,  and  was  come  of  the  lyne  of 
paynyms.  and  toke  hem,  and  putte  hem  in  pryson  in  a 
depe  hole. 


Chai'.  XXU.]        GALAJIAD   MADE   KIXG.  163 


Capitulum  jjij. 

But  as  soone  as  they  were  there,  oure  Lord  sente  hem 
the  Sancgreal,  thorow  whoos  grace  they  were  al  waye 
fulfylled  whyle  that  they  were  in  pryson.  Soo  at  the 
yeres  ende  hit  befelle  that  this  kynge  Estourause  lay 
seke,  and  felte  that  he  shold  dye.  Thenne  he  sente  for  5 
the  thre  knyghtes,  and  they  came  afore  hym,  and  he 
cryed  hem  mercy  of  that  he  had  done  to  them,  and  they 
forgaf  hit  hym  goodely,  and  he  dyed  anone.  Whanne 
the  kynge  was  dede,  alle  the  cyte  was  desmayed,  and 
wyst  not  who  myghte  be  her  kynge.  Ryght  soo  as  they  10 
were  in  counceille,  there  came  a  voyce  amonge  them,  and 
badde  hem  chese  the  yongest  knyght  of  them  thre  to  be 
her  kynge,  "  for  he  shalle  wel  mayntene  yow  and  all 
yours."  Soo  they  made  Galahad  kynge  by  alle  the 
assente  of  the  hole  cyte,  and  els  they  wold  have  slayne  15 
hym.  And  whanne  he  was  come  to  beholde  the  land,  he 
lete  make  above  the  table  of  sylver  a  cheste  of  gold  and 
of  precyous  stones  that  hylled  the  holy  vessel.  And 
every  day  erly  the  thre  felawes  wold  come  afore  hit  and 
make  their  prayers.  20 

Now  at  the  yeres  ende,  and  the  self  daye  after  Galahad 
had  borne  the  croune  of  gold,  he  arose  up  erly,  and  his 
felawes,  and  came  to  the  palais,  and  sawe  to  fore  hem 
the  holy  vessel,  and  a  man  knelynge  on  his  knees  in 
lykenes  of  a  bisshop,  that  had  aboute  hym  a  grete  felau-  25 
shyp  of  angels  as  it  had  ben  Jhesu  Cryst  hym  self.  And 
thenne  he  arose  and  beganne  a  masse  of  Oure  Lady. 
And  whan  he  cam  to  the  sacrament  of  the  masse,  and 
had  done,  anone  he  called  Galahad,  and  sayd  to  hym, 
"Come  forthe,  the  servaunt  of  Jhesu  Cryst.  and  thou  30 
shalt  see  that  thou   host   moche  desvred  to  see."     And 


164  LE  MORTE  D ARTHUR.  [Book  XVII. 

thenne  he  beganne  to  tremble  ryght  hard,  whan  the 
dedely  flesshe  beganne  to  beholde  the  spyrytuel  thynges. 
Thenne  he  helde  up  his  handes  toward  heven  and  sayd, 
"  Lord,  1  thanke  the,  for  now  I  see  that  that  hath  ben  my 
5  desyre  many  a  daye.  Now,  blessyd  Lord,  wold  I  not 
lenger  lyve,  yf  it  myghte  please  the  Lord."  And  there 
with  the  good  man  tooke  oure  Lordes  body  betwixe  hys 
handes,  and  proferd  it  to  Galahad,  and  he  receyved  hit 
ryghte  gladly  and  mekely.     "  Now,  wotest  thow  what  I 

10  am  ?  "  sayd  the  good  man.  "  Nay,"  said  Galahad.  "  I 
am  Joseph  of  Armathye,  the  whiche  om-e  Lord  hath  sente 
here  to  the  to  here  the  felaushyp.  And  wotest  thou 
wherfor  that  he  hath  sente  me  more  than  ony  other  ? 
For  thou  hast  resemblyd  [me .-']  in  to  thynges,  in  that 

15  thou  hast  sene  the  merveyles  of  the  Sancgreal,  in  that 
thou  hast  ben  a  clene  mayden,  as  I  have  ben  and  am." 
And  whanne  he  had  said  these  wordes,  Galahad  went  to 
Percyval  and  kyssed  hym,  and  commaunded  hym  to  God. 
And  soo  he  wente  to  Sire  Bors  and  kyssed  hym,  and 

20  commaunded  hym  to  God,  and  sayd,  "'  Fayre  lord,  salewe 
me  to  my  lord  Syr  Launcelot,  my  fader,  and  as  soone  as 
ye  see  hym  byd  hym  remembre  of  this  unstable  world." 
And  there  with  he  kneled  doune  tofore  the  table  and 
made  his  prayers,  and  thenne  sodenly  his  soule  departed 

25  to  Jhesu  Crist,  and  a  grete  multitude  of  angels  bare  his 
soule  up  to  heven,  that  the  two  felawes '  myghte  wel 
behold  hit.  Also  the  two  felawes  sawe  come  from  heven 
an  hand,  but  they  sawe  not  the  body.  And  thenne  hit 
cam  ryght  to  the  vessel,  and  took  it  and  the  spere,  and 

30  soo  bare  hit  up  to  heven.  Sythen  was  there  never  man 
soo  hardy  to  saye  that  he  had  sene  the  Sancgreal. 


Chap.  XXIII.]  GALAHAD'S  DEATH.  165 


Gapitulum  jjiij. 

Whanne  Percyval  and  Bors  sawe  Galahad  dede,  they 
made  as  moche  sorowe  as  ever  dyd  two  men :  and  yf  they 
had  not  ben  good  men,  they  myght  lyghtly  hav^e  fallen  in 
despair.  And  the  peple  of  the  countrey  and  of  the  cyte 
were  ry^/^t  hevy.  And  thenne  he  was  buryed.  And  as  5 
soone  as  he  was  buryed,  Sire  Percyval  yelded  hym  to  an 
hermytage  oiite  of  the  cyte,  and  took  a  relygyous 
clothynge ;  and  Bors  was  alwaye  with  hym,  but  never 
chaunged  he  his  seculer  clothyng,  for  that  he  purposed 
hym  to  goo  ageyhe  in  to  the  realme  of  Logrys.  Thus  a  10 
yere  and  two  monethes  lyved  Sir  Percyval  in  the  hermy- 
tage a  ful  holy  lyf,  and  thenne  passed  oute  of  this  world. 
And  Bors  lete  bery  hym  by  his  syster  and  by  Galahad  in 
the  spyrytueltees. 

Whanne  Bors  sawe  that  he  was  in  so  fer  countreyes  as  15 
in  the  partyes  of  Babyloyne,  he  departed  from  Sarras, 
and  armed  hym,  and  cam  to  the  see,  and  entryd  in  to  a 
shyp.     And  soo  it  befelle  hym  in  good  adventure  he  cam 
in  to  the  realme  of  Logrys,  and  he  rode  so  fast  tyl  he 
came  to  Camelot  where  the  kynge  was,  and  thenne  was  20 
there  grete  joye  made  of  hym  in  the  courte ;    for  they 
wend  alle  he  had  ben  dede,  for  as  moche  as  he  had  ben 
soo   longe   oute   of  the  countrey.      And  whan  they  had 
eten,  the  kynge  made  grete  clerkes  to  come  afore  hym, 
that  they  shold  cronycle  of  the  hyghe  adventures  of  the  25 
good   knyghtes.      Whanne   Bors   had    told    hym    of   the 
adventures  of  the  Sancgreal,  suche  as  had  befalle  hym, 
and  his  thre  felawes,  that  was  Launcelot,  Percyval,  Gala- 
had, and  hym  self,  there  Launcelot  told  the  adventures 
of  the  Sancgreal  that  he  had  sene.      Alle  this  was  made  30 
in  grete  bookes,  and  put  up  in  almeryes  at  Salysbury. 


166  LE   MORTE    DARTHUR. 

And  anone  Sir  Bors  sayd  to  Syre  Launcelot,  '"  Galahad 
your  owne  sone  salewed  yow  by  me,  and  after  yow  kynge 
Arthur,  and  alle  the  courte,  and  soo  dyd  Sir  Percyval,  for 
I   buryed   hem  with   myn   owne   handes   in   the   cyte   of 

5  Sarras.  Also,  Sire  Launcelot,  Galahad  prayed  yow  to 
remembre  of  this  unsyker  world,  as  ye  behyght  hym  whan 
ye  were  to  gyders  more  than  half  a  yere."  "  This  is 
true,"  sayd  Launcelot ;  "  now  I  truste  to  God  his  prayer 
shalle  avayle  me."     Thenne  Launcelot  took  Syr  Bors  in 

10  his  amies,  and  sayd,  "  Gentyl  cosyn,  ye  are  ryght  welcome 
to  me,  and  alle  that  ever  I  maye  doo  for  yow  and  for 
yours,  ye  shalle  fynde  my  poure  body  redy  atte  all  tymes 
whyles  the  spyryte  is  in  hit,  and  that  I  promyse  yow 
feythfuUy,  and  never  to  fayle.     And  wete  ye  wel,  gentj-l 

15  cosyn  Syre  Bors,  that  ye  and  I  wylle  never  departe  in 
sonder  whylest  oure  lyves  may  laste."  "Sir,"  sayd  he, 
"  I  wylle  as   ye  wylle." 

Tlbus  eu^etb  tbistorv?  of  tbe  Sanccireal  tbat 
was  brevelY>  ^rawen  cute  ot  dfrenssbe  in  to 
]£nolv?s3be/tbc  wbicbe  is  a  stor^  cronpcle5 
for  i^w^  of  tbc  truest  anO  tbe  boldest  tbat  is 
in  tb\>s  \vorlC>/tbe  wbicbe  is  tbe  jvij  boo!?/ 


Hn^  bere  tolowetb  tbe  e^obtentb  booft, 
Capitulum  ©ctaxnim. 

Thus  it  passed  on  tyl  Oure  Lady  Daye,  Assuwpcyon. 
Within  a  xv  dayes  of  that  feest  the  kynge  lete  crye  a 
grete  justes  and  a  turnement  that  shold  be  at  that  daye 
att  Camelot,  .that  is,  Wynchester.  And  the  kynge  lete 
crye  that  he  and  the  kynge  of  Scottes  wold  juste  ageynst  5 
alle  that  wold  come  ageynst  hem.  And  whan  this  crye 
was  made,  thydder  cam  many  knyghtes.  Soo  there  came 
thyder  the  kyng  of  Northgalys,  and  kyng  Anguysshe  of 
Irland,  and  the  kyng  with  the  honderd  knyghtes,  and 
Galahaut  the  haute  prynce,  and  the  kynge  of  Northum-  lo 
berland,  and  many  other  noble  dukes  and  erles  of 
dyverse  countreyes.  Soo  kynge  Arthur  made  hym  redy 
to  departe  to  thise  justys  and  wold  have  had  the  queue 
with  hym  :  but  at  that  tyme  she  wold  not,  she  said,  for 
she  was  seke  and  myghte  not  ryde  at  that  tyme.  "That  15 
me  repenteth,"  sayd  the  kynge,  "for  this  seven  yere  ye 
sawe  not  suche  a  noble  felaushyp  to  gyders,  excepte  at 
Wytsontyde  whan  Galahad  departed  from  the  courte." 
"  Truly,"  sayd  the  queue  to  the  kynge,  "  ye  muste  holde 
me  excused.  I  maye  not  be  there,  and  that  me  repenteth."  20 
And  many  demed  the  queue  wold  not  be  there  by  cause 
of  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  for  Sire  Launcelot  wold  not 
ryde  with  the  kynge ;  for  he  said  that  he  was  not  hole  of 
the  wound  the  whiche  Sire  Mador  had  gyven  hym. 
Wherfor  the  kynge  was  hevy  and  passynge  wrothe,  and  25 
soo  he  departed  toward  Wynchestre  with  his  felnushyp. 
And  soo  by  the  way  the  kynge  lodged  in  a  towm;  called 


ir,S  LE   MORTE   DARTHUR.        [Book  XVIII. 

Astolot,  that  is  now  in  Englyssh  called  Gylford,  and  there 
the  kynge  lay  in  the  castel.  Soo  whan  the  kynge  was 
departed,  the  quene  called  Sir  Launcelot  to  her,  and  said 
thus,  "  Sire  Launcelot,  ye  are  gretely  to  blame  thus  to 
5  holde  yow  behynde  my  lord.  What  trowe  ye,  what  will 
youre  enemyes  and  myne  saye  and  deme  ?  noughte  els 
but,  '  See  how  Sire  Launcolot^  holdeth  hym  ever  behynde 
the  kyng,  and  soo  doth  the  quene,  for  that  they  wold 
have  their  pleasyr  to  gyders  ';  and  thus  wylle  they  saye," 
lo  sayd  the  quene  to  Syr  Launcelot,  "  have  ye  noo  doubte 
therof." 

CapitiUuiii  ij. 

"  Madame,"  said  Syr  Launcelot,  "  I  allowe  your  wytte, 
it  is  of  late  come  syn  ye  were  wyse,  and  therfor,  madame, 
at  this  tyme  I  wille  be  rulyd  by  your  counceylle,  and  thys 

IS  nyghte  I  wylle  take  my  rest,  and  to  morowe  by  tyme  I 
wyll  take  my  waye  toward  Wynchestre.  But  wete  yow 
wel,"  sayd  Sir  Launcelot  to  the  quene,  "  that  at  that 
justes  I  wille  be  ageynst  the  kynge  and  ageynste  al  his 
felaushyp."     "  Ye  maye  there  doo  as  ye  lyst,"  sayd  the 

20  quene,  "  but  by  my  counceylle  ye  shalle  not  be  ageynst 
youre  kyng  and  youre  felaushyp,  for  therin  ben  ful  many 
hard  knyghtes  of  youre  blood,  as  ye  wote  wel  ynough,  hit 
nedeth  not  to  reherce  them."  "Madame,"  said  Syre 
Launcelot,  "  I  praye  yow  that  ye  be  not  displeasyd  with 

25  me,  for  I  wille  take  the  adventure  that  God  wylle  sende 
me." 

And  soo  upon  the  morne  eriy  Syre  Launcelot  herd 
masse,  and  brake  his  fast,  and  soo  toke  his  leve  of  the 
quene,  and  departed.      And  thenne  he  rode  soo  moche 

30  untyl  he  came  to  Astolat,  that  is,  Gylford,  and  there  hit 

1  Sic. 


Chap.  IX.]         LAUNCELOT  AT  ASTOLAT.  169 

happed  hym  in  the  eventyde  he  cam  to  an  old  barons 
place,  that  hyght  Sir  Bernard  of  Astolat.  And  as  Syre 
Launcelot  entryd  in  to  his  lodgynge,  kynge  Arthur  aspyed 
hym  as  he  dyd  walke  in  a  gardyn  besyde  the  castel,  how 
he  took  his  lodgynge,  and  knewe  hym  ful  wel.  "'  It  is  5 
wel,"  sayd  kynge  Arthur  unto  the  knyghtes  that  were 
with  hym  in  that  gardyn  besyde  the  castel,  "  I  have  now 
aspyed  one  knyghte  that  wylle  playe  his  playe  at  the 
justes  to  the  whiche  we  be  gone  toward ;  I  undertake  he 
wil  do  merveils."  "Who  is  that?  we  pray  you  telle  us,"  10 
sayd  many  knyghtes  that  were  there  at  that  tyme.  "  Ye 
shal  not  wete  for  me,''  said  the  kynge,  "  as  at  this  tyme." 
And  soo  the  kyng  smyled,  and  wente  to  his  lodgynge. 
Soo  whan  Sire  Launcelot  was  in  his  lodgynge,  and 
unarmed  hym  in  his  chamber,  the  olde  baron  and  15 
heremyte  came  to  hym  makynge  his  reverence,  and 
welcomed  hym  in  the  best  maner,  but  the  old  knyght 
knewe  not  Sire  Launcelot.  "  Fair  sir,"  said  Sir  Launcelot 
to  his  hooste,  "  I  wold  praye  yow  to  lene  me  a  shelde 
that  were  not  openly  knowen,  for  myn  is  wel  knowen."  20 
"  Sir,"  said  his  boost,  "  ye  shalle  have  your  desyre,  for 
me  semeth  ye  be  one  of  the  lykelyest  knyghtes  of  the 
world,  and  therfor  I  shall  shewe  you  frendship.  Sire, 
wete  yow  wel  I  have  two  sones  that  were  but  late  made 
knyghtes,  and  the  eldest  hyghte  Sir  Tirre,  and  he  was  25 
hurt  that  same  day  he  was  made  knyghte  that  he  may 
not  ryde,  and  his  sheld  ye  shalle  have ;  for  that  is  not 
knowen,  I  dare  saye,  but  here  and  in  no  place  els.  And 
my  yongest  sone  hyght  Lavayne,  and  yf  hit  please  yow 
he  shalle  ryde  with  yow  unto  that  justes,  and  he  is  of  his  30 
age  X,  stronge  and  wyght ;  for  moche  my  herte  gyveth 
unto  yow  that  ye  shold  be  a  noble  kny^V/te,  therfor  I 
praye  yow  telle  me  your  name,"  said  Sir  Bernard.  "  As 
for    that,"   sayd    Sire    Launcelot,    "  ye     must    holde    me 


170  /./•;    MORJK    J)AKTnUR.        [Book  XVIII. 

excused  as  at  this  tyme,  and  yf  God  gyve  me  grace  to 
spede  wel  att  the  justes,  I  shall  come  ageyne  and  telle 
yow,  but  I  praye  yow,"  said  Sir  Launcelot,  "  in  ony  wyse 
lete  me  have  youre  sone  Sire  Lavayne  with  me,  and  that 

5  I  maye  have  your'  broders  shelde."  "  Alle  this  shalle 
be  done,"  said  Sir  Bernard. 

This  old  baron  had  a  doughter  that  tyme  that  was 
called  that  tyme  the  faire  ma3-den  of  Astolat.  And  ever 
she  beheld  Sir  Launcelot  wonderfully.    ^And  as  the  book 

10  sayth,  she  cast  suche  a  love  unto  Sir  Launcelot  that  she 
coude  never  withdrawe  her  love ;  wherfore  she  dyed,  and 
her  name  was  Elayne  le  Blank.  Soo  thus  as  she  cam  to 
and  fro,  she  was  soo  bote  in  her  love  that  she  besoughte 
Syr  Launcelot  to  were  upon  hym  at  the  justes  a  token  of 

15  hers.  "Faire  damoysel,"  said  Sir  Launcelot,  "and  yf  I 
graunte  yow  that,  ye  may  saye  I  doo  more  for  youre  love 
than  ever  I  dyd  for  lady  or  damoysel."  Thenne  he 
remembryd  hym  that  he  wold  goo  to  the  justes  des- 
guysed ;   and  by  cause  he  had  never  fore  that  tyme  borne 

20  noo  manere  of  token  of  noo  damoysel,  thenne  he  be- 
thoughte  hym  that  he  wold  bere  one  of  her  that  none  of 
his  blood  there  by  myghte  knowe  hym.  And  thenne  he 
said,  "  Faire  mayden,  I  wylle  graunte  yow  to  were  a  token 
of  yours  upon  myn  helmet,  and  therfor  what  it  is  shewe 

25  it  me."  "Sir,"  she  said,  "it  is  a  reed  sieve  of  myn,  of 
scarlet  wel  enbroudred  with  grete  perlys";  and  soo  she 
brought  it  hym.  Soo  Syre  Launcelot  receyved  it  and 
sayd,  "  Never  dyd  I  erst  soo  moche  for  no  damoysel." 
And  thenne  Sir  Launcelot  bitoke   the   fair  mayden  his 

30  shelde  in  kepyng,  and  praid  her  to  kepe  that  untyl  that 
he  came  ageyne.  And  soo  that  nyghte  he  had  mery  rest 
and  grete  chere,  for  ever  the  damoysel  Elayne  was  aboute 
Sire  Launcelot,  alle  the  whyle  she  myghte  be  suffred. 

1  Sic. 


Chap.  X.]     LAUNCELOT   GOES    TO    CAMELOT.  171 


Capitulum  j» 

Soo  upon  a  daye  on  the  morne,  kynge  Arthur  and  al 
his  knyghtes  departed,  for  theire  kynge  had  taryed  thre 
dayes  to  abyde  his  noble  knyghtes.  And  soo  whanne 
the  kynge  was  ryden,  Sir  Launcelot  and  Sire  Lavayne 
made  hem  redy  to  ryde,  and  eyther  of  hem  had  whyte  5 
sheldes,  and  the  reed  sieve  Sir  Launcelot  lete  cary  with 
hym.  And  soo  they  tooke  their  leve  at  Syr  Bernard  the 
old  baron,  and  att  his  doughter  the  faire  mayden  of 
Astolat.  And  thenne  they  rode  soo  long  til  that  they 
came  to  Camelot,  that  tyme  called  VVynchestre.  And  \o 
there  was  grete  prees  of  kynges,  dukes,  erles,  and  barons, 
and  many  noble  knyghtes.  But  there  Sir  Launcelot  was 
lodged  pryvely,  by  the  meanes  of  Sir  Lavayne,  with  a 
ryche  burgeis,  that  no  man  in  that  toune  was  ware  what 
they  were,  and  soo  they  reposed  them  there  til  oure  Lady  15 
Day,  Assumpcyon,  as  the  grete  feest  sholde  be. . 

Soo  thenne  trumpets  blewe  unto  the  felde,  and  kynge 
Arthur  was  sette  on  hyghe  upon  a  skafhold  to  beholde 
who  dyd  best.       But,  as   the   Frensshe   book  saith,  the 
kynge  wold  not  suffer  Syre  Gawayn  to  goo  from  hym,  for  20 
never  had  Sir  Gawayn  the  better  and  Sire  Launcelot  were 
in  the  felde  ;  and  many  tymes  was  Sir  Gawayn  rebuked 
whan  Lau«celot  cam  in  to  ony  justes  desguysed.    Thenne 
som  of  the  kynges,  as  kynge  Anguysshe  of  Irland  and 
the  kynge  of  Scottes,  were  that  tyme  torned  upon  the  25 
syde  of  kynge  Arthur.     And  thenne  on  the  other  party 
was  the  kynge   of   Northgalys,  and  the  kynge  with  the 
honderd   knyghtes,  and   the   kynge  of   Northumberland, 
and    Syre    Galahad    the    haut   prynce.      But  these   thre 
kynges    and    this    duke    were    passyng  weyke   to    holde  3° 
ageynst   kynge   Arthurs    party,   for  with   hym   were   the 


172  LE  MORTE   DARTIIUR.        [Book  XVIII. 

noblest  knyghtes  of  the  world.  Soo  thenne  they  with- 
drewe  hem  eyther  party  from  other,  and  every  man  made 
hym  redy  in  his  best  maner  to  doo  what  he  myghte. 
Thenne  Syre  Launcelot  made  hym  redy,  and  putte  the 
5  reed  sieve  upon  his  hede,  and  fastned  it  fast ;  and  soo 
Syre  Launcelot  and  Syre  Lavayne  departed  out  of 
Wynchestre  pryvely,  and  rode  untyl  a  lytel  levyd  wood, 
behynde  the  party  that  held  ageynst  kyng  Arthurs  party, 
and  there  they  helde  them  stylle  tyl  the  partyes  smote  to 

lo  gyders.  And  thenne  cam  in  the  kynge  of  Scottes  and 
the  kyng  of  Irland  on  Arthurs  party ;  and  ageynst  them 
came  the  kynge  of  Northumberland,  and  the  kynge  with 
the  honderd  knyghtes  smote  doun  the  kynge  of  North- 
umberland ;    and  the  kynge  with  the  honderd  knyghtes 

15  smote  doune  kynge  Anguysshe  of  Irland.  Thenne  Syre 
Palomydes  that  was  on  Arthurs  party  encountred  with 
Syre  Galahad,  and  eyther  of  hem  smote  doune  other,  and 
eyther  party  halpe  their  lordes  on  horsbak  ageyne.  Soo 
there  began  a  stronge  assaile  upon  bothe  partyes.     And 

20  thenne  came  in  Syr  Brandyles,  Syre  Sagramor  le  Desyrus, 
Sire  Dodynas  le  Saveage,  Sir  Kay  le  Seneschal,  Sir 
Gryfiet  le  Fyse  de  Dieu,  Sir  Mordred,  Sir  Melyot  de 
Logrys,  Syr  Ozanna  le  Cure  Hardy,  Sir  Safyr,  Sir 
Epynogrys,    Syr    Galleron    of    Galway.       Alle    these    xv 

25  knyghtes  were  knyghtes  of  the  Table  Round.  Soo  these 
with  moo  other  came  in  to  gyders,  and  bete  on  bak  the 
kynge  of  Northumberland  and  the  kynge  of  Northwalys. 
Whan  Sir  Launcelot  sawe  this,  as  he  hoved  in  a  lytil 
leved  woode,  thenne  he  sayd  unto  Syre  Lavayn,  "  See, 

30  yonder  is  a  company  of  good  knyghtes,  and  they  hold 
them  to  gyders  as  bores  that  were  chauffed  with  dogges." 
"  That  is  trouthe,"  said  Syre  Lavayne. 


Chap.  XL]  LAUNCELOT'S  PROWESS.  173 


Capitulum  jj.^ 

"  Now,"  sayd  Syre  Launcelot,  "  and  ye  wille  helpe  me 

a  lytel,  ye  shalle  see  yonder  felauship  that  chaseth  now 

these  men  in  oure  syde,  that  they  shal  go  as  fast  bakward 

as  they  wente    forward."      "  Sir,  spare    not,"  said    Sire 

Lavayne,  "for  I  shall  doo  what  I  maye."     Thenne  Sire    5 

Launcelot  and  Sire  Lavayne  cam  in  at  the  thyckest  of 

the  prees,  and  there  Syre  Launcelot   smote  doune  Syr 

Brandyles,  Syre  Sagramore,  Syre  Dodynas,  Sir  Kay,  Syr 

Gryflet,  and  alle  this  he  dyd  with  one  spere.     And  Sire 

Lavayne  smote  doune  Sire  Lucan  the  Buttelere,  and  Sir  10 

Bedevere.    And  thenne  Sire  Launcelot  gat  another  spere, 

and  there  he  smote  doune  Sir  Agravayne,  Sire  Gaherys, 

and  Sir  Mordred,  and  Sir  Melyot  de  Logrys.     And  Sir 

Lavayne    smote   doune    Ozanna  le   Cure   Hardy.      And 

thenne    Sir    Launcelot    drewe    his   suerd,   and   there  he  15 

smote  on  the  ryght  hand  and  on  the  lyfte  hand,  and  by 

grete  force  he  unhorced  Syr  Safyr,  Sire  Epynogrys,  and 

Sir  Galleron.     And  thenne  the   knyghtes  of  the  Table 

Round  withdrewe  them  abak,  after  they  had  goten  their 

horses  as  wel  as  they  myghte.     "  O  mercy,  Jhesu,"  said  20 

Sire  Gawayne,  "  what  kny^//te  is  yonder,  that  doth  soo 

merveyllous  dedes  of  armes  in  that  felde  ?  "      "I  wote 

not  what  he  is,"  sayd  kynge  Arthur,  "  but  as  att  this  tyme 

I  wille  not  name  hym."     "  Syre,"  sayd  Sire  Gawayne,  "  I 

wold  say  it  were  Syr  Launcelot  by  his  rydynge  and  his  25 

buffets  that  I  see  hym  dele ;  but  ever  me  semeth  it  shold 

not  be  he,  for  that  he  bereth  the  reed  sieve  upon  his 

hede,  for  I  wyst  hym  never  bere  token  at  no  justes  of 

lady  nor  gentihvoman."      "  Lete    hym    be,"  said  kynge 

Arthur,  "  he  wille  be  better  knowen  and  do  more  or  ever  30 

he  departe." 

^  The  heading  is  repeated. 


]71  //;   MORTE   DAirrnCR.         [IW.ok   will. 

'I'hcnnc  the  party  that  was  ayenst  kynge  Arthur  were 
wel  comforted,  and  thenne  they  helde  hem  to  gyders  that 
before  hand  were  sore  rebuked.  Thenne  Sir  Bors,  Sir 
Ector  de  Marys,  and  Sir  Lyonel  called  unto  them  the 
5  kny^'-//tes  of  their  blood,  as  Sir  Blamor  de  Ganys,  Syre 
Bleoberys,  Syr  Alyduke,  Sir  Galyhud,  Sire  Galyhodyn, 
Sir  Bellangere  le  Beuse.  Soo  these  nyne  knyghtes  of  Sir 
Launcelots  skynne^  threste  in  myghtely,  for  they  were  al 
noble  knyghtes ;  and  they,  of  grete  hate  and  despyte  that 

lo  they  had  unto  hym,  thoughte  to  rebuke  that  noble  knyght 
Sir  Launcelot  and  Sir  Lavayne,  for  they  knewe  hem  not. 
And  soo  they  cam  hurlynge  to  gyders  and  smote  doune 
many  knyghtes  of  Northgalys  and  of  Northumberland. 
And  whanne  Sire  Launcelot  sawe  them  fare  soo,  he  eat 

15  a  spere  in  his  hand,  and  there  encountred  with  hym  al 
attones  Syr  Bors,  Sir  Ector,  and  Sire  Lyonel,  and  alle 
they  thre  smote  hym  atte  ones  with  their  speres.  And 
with  fors  of  them  self  they  smote  Sir  Launcelots  hors  to 
the    erthe,    and    by    mysfortune    Sir    Bors    smote    Syre 

20  Launcelot  thurgh  the  shelde  in  to  the  syde,  and  the 
spere  brake,  and  the  hede  lefte  stylle  in  his  syde.  Whan 
Sir  Lavayne  sawe  his  maister  lye  on  the  ground,  he  ranne 
to  the  kynge  of  Scottes  and  smote  hym  to  the  erthe,  and 
by  grete  force  he  took  his  hors  and  brought  hym  to  Syr 

25  Launcelot,  and  maulgre  of  them  al  he  made  hym  to 
mounte  upon  that  hors :  and  thenne  Launcelot  gat  a 
spere  in  his  hand,  and  there  he  smote  Syre  Bors  hors 
and  man  to  the  erthe.  In  the  same  wyse  he  served  Syre 
Ector  and  Syre  Lyonel,  and  Syre  Lavayne  smote  doune 

30  Sir  Blamore  de  Ganys.  And  thenne  Sir  Launcelot  drewe 
his  suerd,  for  he  felte  hym  self  so  sore  y-hurte  that  he 
wende  there  to  have  had  his  dethe.  And  thenne  he 
smote  Sire  Bleoberys  suche  a  buffet  on  the  helmet  that 

1  Read  kyime  ? 


CHAr.  XII.]       LAVXCF.LOr  IS    U'OrXDED.  175 

he  felle  doune  to  the  erthe  in  a  swoun.  And  in  the  same 
wyse  he  served  Sir  Alyduk  and  Sir  Galyhud.  And  Sire 
Lavayne  smote  doune  Syr  Bellangere,  that  was  the  sone 
of  Alysaunder  le  Orphelyn  ;  and  by  this  was  Sire  Bors 
horsed,  and  thenne  he  came  with  Sire  Ector  and  Syr  5 
Lyonel,  and  alle  they  thre  smote  with  suerdes  upon  Syre 
Launcelots  helmet.  And  whan  he  felte  their  buffets  and 
his  wounde,  the  whiche  was  soo  grevous,  than  he  thought 
to  doo  what  he  myght  whyle  he  myght  endure.  And 
thenne  he  gaf  Syr  Bors  suche  a  buffet  that  he  made  hym  10 
bowe  his  heed  passynge  lowe,  and  there  with  al  he  raced 
of  his  hehiie,  and  myght  have  slayne  hym,  and  soo  pulled 
hym  doune,  and  in  the  same  wyse  he  served  Syre  Ector 
and  Sire  Lyonel.  For,  as  the  book  saith,  he  myghte  have 
slayne  them,  but  whan  he  sawe  their  vysages  his  herte  15 
myght  not  serve  hym  therto,  but  lefte  hem  there. 

And  thenne  afterward  he  hurled  in  to  the  thyckest 
prees  of  them  alle,  and  dyd  there  the  merveyloust  dedes 
of  armes  that  ever  man  sawe  or  herde  speke  of ;  and  ever 
Sire  Lavayne  the  good  knyghte  with  hym.  And  there  20 
Sire  Launcelot  with  his  suerd  smote  doune  and  pulled 
doune,  as  the  Frensshe  book  maketh  mencyon,  moo  than 
thyrtty  knyghtes,  and  the  moost  party  were  of  the  Table 
Round.  And  Sire  Lavayne  dyd  ful  wel  that  day,  for  he 
smote  doune  ten  knyghtes  of  the  Table  Round.  25 

Capitulum  jij. 

"  Mercy,  Jhesu,''  said  Syr  Gawayne  to  Arthur,  "  I 
merveil  what  knyghte  that  he  is  with  the  reed  sieve." 
"  Syr,"  saide  kynge  Arthur,  "  he  wille  be  knowen  or  he 
departe."  And  thenne  the  kynge  blewe  unto  lodgynge, 
and  the  pryce  was  gyven  by  herowdes  unto  the  knyghte  30 
with  the  whvte  shelde,  that  bare  the  reed  sieve.     Thenne 


176  LE  MORTE  D ARTHUR.        [Book  XVIII. 

came  the  kynge  with  the  hondcrd  kny^i^V/tes,  the  kynge  of 
Northgalys,  and  the  kynge  of  Northumberland,  and  Sir 
Galahaut  the  haute  prynce,  and  sayd  unto  Sire  Launcelot, 
"  Fayre  knyght,  God  the  blesse,  for  moche  have  ye  done 
5  this  day  for  us,  therfor  we  praye  yow  that  ye  wille  come 
with  us,  that  ye  may  receyve  the  honour  and  the  pryce  as 
ye  have  worshipfully  deserved  it."  "  My  faire  lordes," 
saide  Syre  Launcelot,  "  wete  yow  wel  yf  I  have  deserved 
thanke,  I  have  sore  bought  hit,  and  that  me  repenteth, 

10  for  I  am  lyke  never  to  escape  with  my  lyf :  therfor,  faire 
lordes,  I  pray  yow  that  ye  wille  suffer  me  to  departe 
where  me  lyketh,  for  I  am  sore  hurte.  I  take  none  force 
of  none  honour,  for  I  had  lever  to  repose  me  than  to  be 
lord  of  alle  the  world."      And  there  with  al  he  groned 

15  pytously,  and  rode  a  grete  wallop  away  ward  fro  them, 
untyl  he  came  under  a  woodes  syde.  And  whan  he  sawe 
that  he  was  from  the  felde  nyghe  a  myle,  that  he  was 
sure  he  myghte  not  be  sene,  thenne  he  said  with  an  \iygh 
voys,  "  O  gentyl  knyght  Sir  Lavayne,  helpe  me  that  this 

20  truncheon  were  oute  of  my  syde,  for  it  stycketh  so  sore 
that  it  nyhe  sleeth  me."  "  O  myn  owne  lord,"  said  Sir 
Lavayne,  "  I  wold  fayn  do  that  my<^/^t  please  yow,  but  I 
drede  me  sore,  and  I  pulle  oute  the  truncheon,  that  ye 
shalle  be  in  perylle  of  dethe."     "  I  charge  you,"  said  Sir 

25  Launcelot,  "  as  ye  love  me  drawe  hit  oute."  And  there 
with  alle  he  descended  from  his  hors  and  ryght  soo  dyd 
Sir  Lavayn,  and  forth  with  al  Sir  Lavayn  drewe  the 
truncheon  out  of  his  syde ;  and  [he]  gaf  a  grete  shryche 
and  a  merveillous  grysely  grone,  and   the  blood  braste 

30  oute  nyghe  a  pynt  at  ones,  that  at  the  last  he  sanke  doun 
upon  his  buttoks,  and  so  swouned  pale  and  dedely. 
"  Alias,"  sayd  Sire  Lavayne,  "  what  shalle  I  doo  }  "  And 
thenne  he  torned  Sir  Launcelot  in  to  the  wynde,  but  soo 
he  laye  there  nyghe  half  an  houre  as  he  had  ben  dede. 


Chap.  XII.]      THE   HEKMJT  IX   THE    WOOD.  177 

And  so  at  the  laste  Syre  Launcelot  caste  up  his  e3'en, 
and  sayd,  "  O  Lavayn,  helpe  me  that  I  were  on  my  hors, 
for  here  is  fast  by  within  this  two  myle  a  gentyl  heremyte, 
that  somtyme  was  a  fulle  noble  knyghte  and  a  grete  lord 
of  possessions.     And  for  grete  goodenes  he  hath  taken     5 
hym  to  wylful  poverte  and  forsaken  many  landes,  and  his 
name  is  Sire  Baudewyn  of  Bretayn,  and  he  is  a  ful  noble 
surgeon  and  a  good  leche.     Now  lete  see,  helpe  me  up 
that  I  were  there ;  for  ever  my  herte  gyveth  me  that  I 
shalle  never  dye  of  my  cosyn  germayns  handes."     And  10 
thenne  with  grete  payne  Sir  Lavayne  halpe  hym  upon  his 
hors ;  and  thenne  they  rode  a  grete  wallop  to  gyders,  and 
ever  Syr  Launcelot  bledde  that  it  ranne   doune  to   the 
erthe.     And  so  by  fortune  they  came  to  that  hermytage, 
the  whiche  was  under  a  wood,  and  a  grete  clyf  on  the  15 
other  syde,  and  a  fayre  water  rennynge  under  it.     And 
thenne  Sire  Lavayn  bete  on  the  gate  with  the  but  of  his 
spere,  and  cryed  fast,  "  Lete  in  for  Jhesus  sake."     And 
there  came  a  fair  chyld  to  them,  and  asked  hem  what 
they  wold.     "  Faire  sone,"  said  Syr  Lavayne,  "goo  and  20 
pray  thy  lord  the  heremyte  for  Goddes  sake  to  lete  in 
here  a  knyghte  that  is  ful  sore  wounded,  and  this  day 
telle  thy  lord  I  sawe  hym  do  more  dedes  of  armes  than 
ever  I  herd  say  ony  man  dyd."     Soo  the  chyld  wente  in 
lyghtely,  and  thenne  he  brought  the  heremyte,  the  whiche  25 
was  a  passynge  good   man.      Whan   Syr  Lavayne  sawe 
hym  he  prayd  hym  for  Goddes  sake  of  socour.     "  What 
knyght  is  he,"  sayd  the  heremyte,  "  is  he  of  the  hows  of 
kyng  Arthur  or  not  ?  "     "I  wote  not,"  said  Sire  Lavayne, 
"  what  is  he,  nor  what  is  his  name,  but  wel  I  wote  I  sawe  30 
hym  doo  merveylously  this  daye,  as  of  dedes  of  armes." 
"  On  whos  party  was  he  ?  "  sayd  the  heremyte.     ""  Syre," 
said  Syre   Lavayne,  "  he  was   this   daye   ageynst  kynge 
Arthur,  and  there  he  wannc  thejjryce  of  alle  the  knyghtes 


17S  //■;    MORTE   DARl'HUR.         [BuoK  XVIII. 

of  the  Round  Table."  "  I  have  sene  the  daye,"  sayd  the 
heremyte,  "  I  wold  have  loved  hym  the  werse  by  cause 
he  was  ageynst  my  lord  kynge  Arthur,  for  somtyme  I  was 
one  of  the  felauship  of  the  Round  Table,  but  I  thanke 
5  God  now  1  am  otherwyse  disposed.  But  where  is  he .-' 
lete  me  see  hyni."  Thenne  Sir  Lavayne  broughte  the 
heremyte  to  hym. 

Capitulum  jiij. 

And  whan  the  heremyte  beheld  hym  as  he  sat  lenynge 
upon  his  sadel  bowe,  ever  bledynge  pytously,  and  ever 

10  the  knyghte  heremyte  thoughte  that  he  shold  knowe  hym, 
but  he  coude  not  brynge  hym  to  knouleche,  by  cause  he 
was  soo  pale  for  bledynge,  "  What  knyghte  are  ye,"  sayd 
the  heremyte,  "  and  where  were  ye  borne  ?  "  "  My  fayre 
lord,"   sayd    Syre    Launcelot,   "  I  am  a  straunger   and  a 

15  knyghte  aventurous  that  laboureth  \\-\\xxgh  oute  many 
realmes  for  to  wynne  worship."  Thenne  the  heremyte 
advysed  hym  better,  and  sawe  by  a  wound  on  his  cheke 
that  he  was  Syr  Launcelot.  "  Alias,"  sayd  the  heremyte, 
"  myn  owne  lord,  why  layne  you  your  name  from  me  ? 

20  For  sothe  I  oughte  to  knowe  yow  of  ry^V/t,  for  ye  are  the 
moost  noblest  knyghte  of  the  world,  for  wel  I  knowe  yow 
for  Sire  Launcelot."  "  Sire,"  said  he,  "  sythe  ye  knowe 
me,  helpe  me  and  ye  may  for  Goddes  sake  ;  for  I  wold 
be  oute  of  this  payne  at  ones  outher  to  dethe  or  to  lyf." 

25  '*  Have  ye  no  doubte,"  sayd  the  heremyte,  "ye  shall  lyve 
and  fare  ryght  wel."  And  soo  the  heremyte  called  to 
hym  two  of  his  servauytes^ ;  and  so  he  and  his  servauntes 
bare  hym  in  to  the  hermytage,  and  lyghtely  unarmed  hym 
and   leyd   hym   in    his   bedde.      And   thenne   anone   the 

30  heremyte  staunched  his  blood,  and  made  hym  to  drynke 

1  Sic. 


Chap.  XIIL]  ARTHUR'S  SORROW.  179 

good  wyn,  so  that  Sir  Launcelot  was  wel  refresshed  and 
knewe  hym  self.  For  in  these  dayes  it  was  not  the  guyse 
of  heremytes  as  is  now  a  dayes.  For  there  were  none 
heremytes  in  tho  dayes  but  that  they  had  ben  men  of 
worshyp  and  of  prowesse,  and  tho  heremytes  helde  grete  5 
housholde,  and  refresshyd  peple  that  were  in  distresse. 

Now  torne  we   unto   kynge  Arthur,  and  leve  we   Sir 
Launcelot  in  the  hermytage.     Soo  whan  the  kynges  were 
comen  to  gyders  on  bothe  partyes,  and  the  grete  feeste 
shold  be  holden,  kynge  Arthur  asked  the  kynge  of  North-  10 
galys  and  theyr  felaushyp  where  was  that  knyghte  that 
bare  the  reed  sieve.      "  Brynge  hym  afore  me,  that  he 
may  have  his  lawde  and  honour  and  the  pryce,  as  it  is 
ryght."      Thenne  spake  Sir  Galahad  the   haute  prynce 
and  the  kynge  with  the  honderd  knyghtes,  "We  suppose  15 
that  knyght  is  mescheved,  and  that  he  is  never  lyke  to 
see  yow  nor  none  of  us  alle,  and  that  is  the  grettest  pyte 
that   ever  we  W3'ste   of   ony  knyghte."      "  Alias,"   sayd 
Arthur,   "  how  may  this  be  ?    is  he  soo  hurte  ?    what  is 
his  name.?"  sayd  kynge  Arthur.     "Truly,"  said  they  all,  20 
"  we  knowe  not  his  name,  nor  from  whens  he  cam,  nor 
whyder  he  wold."     "  Alias,"  sayd  the  kynge,  "  this  be  to 
me  the  werst  tydynges  that  came  to  me  this  seven  yere ; 
for  I  wold  not  for  alle  the  londes  I  welde,  to  knowe  and 
wete  it  were  so   that   that   noble   knyght  were   slayne."  25 
"Knowe  ye  hym.?"  sayd  they  al.     "As  for  that,"  sayd 
Arthur,  "whether   I   knowe  hym  or  knowe  hym  not,  ye 
shal  not  knowe  for  me  what  man  he  is,  but   Almyghty 
Jhesu  sende  me  good'  tydynges  of  hym,"  and  soo  said 
they  alle.      "By   my  hede,"  said   Sire   Gawayn,   "  yf    it  30 
soo  be  that  the  good  knyghte  be  so   sore   hurte,  hit  is 
grete  dommage  and  pyte  to  alle  this  land,  for  he  is  one 
of  the   noblest    knyghtes    that   ever   I   sawe  in   a  felde 

^  Repeated. 


180  LE  MORTE  D ARTHUR.        [Book  XVIII. 

handle  a  spere  or  a  suerd.  And  yf  he  maye  be  founde,  I 
shalle  fynde  hym,  for  1  am  sure  he  nys  not  fer  fro  this 
towne."  "  Bere  yow  wel,"  sayd  kynge  Arthur,  "  and  ye 
may  fynde  hym,  onles  that  he  be  in  suche  a  plyte  that  he 
5  may  not  welde  hym  self."  "  Jhesu  defende,"  sayd  Sir 
Gawayne,  "  but  wete  I  shalle  what  he  is,  and  I  may  fynde 
hym."  Ryght  soo  Syre  Gawayne  took  a  squyer  with 
hym,  upon  hakneis,  and  rode  al  aboute  Camelot  within 
vj  or  seven  myle.     But  soo  he  came  ageyne,  and  coude 

lo  here  no  word  of  hym. 

Thenne  within  two  dayes  kynge  Arthur  and  alle  the 
felaushyp  retorned  unto  London  ageyne.  And  soo  as 
they  rode  by  the  waye  hit  happed  Sir  Gawayne  at  Astolat 
to  lodge  wyth  Syr  Bernard,  there  as  was  Syr  Launcelot 

IS  lodged.  And  soo  as  Sire  Gawayn  was  in  his  chamber  to 
repose  hym,  Syr  Barnard  the  old  baron  came  unto  hym, 
and  his  doughter  Elayne,  to  chere  hym  and  to  aske  hym 
what  tydynges  and  who  dyd  best  at  that  turnement  of 
Wynchester.     "  Soo  God  me  help,"  said  Syre  Gawayne, 

2o  "  there  were  two  knyghtes  that  bare  two  whyte  sheldes ; 
but  the  one  of  hem  bare  a  reed  sieve  upon  his  hede,  and 
certaynly  he  was  one  of  the  best  knyghtes  that  ever  I 
sawe  juste  in  felde.  For  I  dare  say,"  sayd  Sire  Gawayne, 
"  that  one  knyght  with  the  reed  sieve  smote  doune  f ourty 

25  knyghtes  of  the  Table  Round,  and  his  felawe  dyd  ryght 
wel  and  worshypfully."  "  Now  blessid  be  God,"  sayd  the 
fayre  mayden  of  Astolat,  "  that  that  knyght  sped  soo  wel, 
for  he  is  the  man  in  the  world  that  I  fyrst  loved,  and 
truly  he  shalle  be  laste  that  ever  I  shalle  love."     "  Now, 

30  fayre  mayde,"  sayd  Sir  Gawayne,  "  is  that  good  knyght 
your  love?"  "Certaynly,  sir,"  sayd  she,  "wete  ye  wel 
he  is  my  love."  "  Thenne  knowe  ye  his  name,"  sayd 
Sire  Gawayne.  "  Nay,  truly,"  said  the  damoysel,  "  I 
knowe  not  his  name  nor  from  whens  he  cometh,  but  to 


Chap.  XIV.]  GAWA/A-    AT  ASTOLAT.  ISl 

say  that  I  love  hym,  I  promyse  you  and  God  that  I  love 
hym."  "How  had  ye  knouleche  of  hym  fyrst  ?  "  said 
Sire  Gawayne. 

Capitulum  jiiij. 

Thenne  she  told  hym  as  ye  have  herd  to  fore,  and  hou 
her  fader  betoke  hym  her  broder  to  doo  hym  servyse,  and    5 
how  her  fader  lente  hym  her  broders  Syr  Tyrreis  shelde, 
"  And  here  with  me  he  lefte  his  owne  sheld."    "  For  what 
cause  dyd  he  so  ? ''  said  Sir  Gawayne.     "  For  this  cause," 
sayd  the  damoysel,  "  for  his  sheld  was  to  wel   knowen 
amonge  many  noble   knyghtes."      "  A,  fayr   damoysel,"  lo 
sayd  Sir  Gawayne,  "  please  hit  yow  lete  me  have  a  syghte 
of  that  sheld."     "  Syre,"  said  she,  "it  is  in  my  chamber 
coverd  with  a  caas,  and  yf  ye  wille  come  with  me,  ye 
shalle  see  hit."     "  Not  soo,"  sayd  Syre  Barnard  tyl  his 
doughter,  "lete  sende  for  it."     Soo  whan  the  sheld  was  15 
comen,  Sir  Gawayne  took  of  the  caas ;  and  whanne  he 
beheld   that    sheld    he    knewe    anone    that    hit    was    Sir 
Launcelots    shelde    and    his    owne    armes.       "  A,    Jhesu 
mercy,"   sayd    Syr    Gawayne,  "  now   is    my   herte    more 
hevyer  than  ever  it  was  tofore."     "  Why.>  "  sayd  Elayne.  20 
"  For  I  have  grete  cause,"  sayd  Sire  Gawayne.     "  Is  that 
knyght  that  oweth  this  shelde  your  love  ?  "     "  Ye,  truly," 
said  she,  "  my  love  he  is  :    God  wold  I  were  his  love." 
"  Soo  God  me  spede,"  sayd  Sire  Gawayne,  "  fair  damoy- 
sel, ye  have  ryght,  for,  and  he  be  your  love,  ye  love  the  25 
moost  honourable  knyghte  of  the  world,  and  the  man  of 
moost    worshyp."       "  So    me    thoughte    ever,"    said    the 
damoysel,  "  for  never  or  that  tyme,  for  no  knyghte  that 
ever  I  sawe  loved   1  never  none  erst."     "  God  graunte," 
sayd   Sire  Gawayne,   "  that  eyther  of  yow  maye  rejoyse  30 
other,  but  that  is  in  a  grete  adventure.      But  truly,"  said 


182  LE  MORTE  D ARTHUR.        [Book  XVIII. 

Sir  Gawayne  unto  the  damoysel,  "'  ye  may  saye  ye  have  a 
fayre  grace,  for  why,  I  have  knowen  that  noble  knyght 
this  four  and  twenty  yere,  and  never  or  that  day  I  nor 
none  other  knyghte,  I  dare  make  good,  sawe  nor  herd 
3  saye  that\  -ever  he  bare  token  or  sygne  of  no  lady,  gentil- 
woman,  ne  mayden,  at  no  justes  nor  turnement.  And 
therfor,  fayre  mayden,"  saide  Sire  Gawayne,  "ye  ar 
moche  beholden  to  hym  to  gyve  hym  thankes.  But  I 
drede  me,"  sayd  Sire  Gawayne,  "that  ye  shalle  never  see 

lo  hym  in  thys  world,  and  that  is  grete  pyte  that  ever  was 
of  erthely  knyght."  "  Alias,"  sayd  she,  "  how  may  this 
be  ?  is  he  slayne  ?  "  "I  say  not  soo,"  said  Sire  Gawayne, 
"  but  wete  ye  wel,  he  is  grevously  wounded  by  alle  maner 
of  sygnes,  and  by  mens  syghte  more  lykelyer  to  be  dede 

15  than  to  be  on  lyve  ;  and  wete  ye  wel  he  is  the  noble 
knyghte  Sire  Launcelot,  for  by  this  sheld  I  knowe  hym." 
"Alias,"  said  the  fayre  mayden  of  Astolat,  "how  maye 
this  be,  and  what  was  his  hurte  ?  "  "  Truly,"  said  Sire 
Gawayne,  "  the  man  in  the  world  that  loved  hym  best 

20  hurte  hym  soo;  and  I  dare  say,"  sayd  Sir  Gawayne, 
"  and  that  knyghte  that  hurte  hym  knewe  the  veray 
certaynte  that  he  had  hurte  Sire  Launcelot,  it  wold  be 
the  moost  sorowe  that  ever  came  to  his  herte."  "  Now, 
fair  fader,"  said  thenne  Elayne,  "  I  requyre  yow  gyve  me 

25  leve  to  ryde  and  to  seke  hym,  or  els  I  wote  wel  I  shalle 
go  oute  of  my  mynde,  for  I  shalle  never  stynte  tyl  that  I 
fynde  hym  and  my  broder  Syre  Lavayne."  "  Doc  as  it 
lyketh  yow,"  sayd  her  fader,  "  for  me  sore  repenteth  of 
the  hurte  of  that  noble  knyghte." 

30  Rj'ghte  soo  the  mayde  made  her  redy,  and  before  Syre 
Gawayne  makynge  grete  dole.  Thenne  on  the  morne 
Syr  Gawayne  came  to  kynge  Arthur,  and  told  hym  how 
he  had  fonde  Sire  Launcelots  shelde  in  the  kepynge  of 
the  fayre  mayden  of  Astolat.     "  Alle  tliat  knewe  I  afore 


Chap.  XV.J  THE   QUEEX'S  ANGER.  183 

hand,"  sayd  kynge  Arthur,  "  and  that  caused  me  I  wold 
not  suffer  you  to  have  adoo  atte  grete  justes,  for  I 
aspyed,"  said  kynge  Arthur,  "  whan  he  cam  in  tyl  his 
lodgynge,  ful  late  in  the  evenynge  in  Astolat.  But 
merveille  have  I,"  said  Arthur,  "  that  ever  he  wold  here  5 
ony  sygne  of  ony  damoysel ;  for,  or  now,  I  never  herd 
say  nor  knewe  that  ever  he  bare  ony  token  of  none 
erthely  woman."  "  By  my  hede,"  said  Sir  Gawayne, 
"the  fayre  mayden  of  Astolat  loveth  hym  merveyllously 
wel ;  what  it  meaneth  I  can  not  saye  ;  and  she  is  ryden  10 
after  to  seke  hym."  Soo  the  kynge  and  alle  cam  to 
London,  and  there  Sire  Gawayne  openly  disclosed  to  alle 
the  courte  that  it  was  Sire  Launcelot  that  justed  best. 

Capitulum  rv>. 

And  whanne  Sir  Bors  herd  that,  wete  ye  wel  he  was 
an  hevy  man,  and  soo  were  alle  his  kynnesmen.      But  15 
whan  quene  Guenever  wyste  that  Syre  Launcelot  bare 
the  reed  sieve  of  the  fayre  mayden  of  Astolat,  she  was 
nyghe  oute  of  her  mynde  for  wrathe.     And  thenne  she 
sente  for  Syr  Bors  de  Ganys  in  alle  the  hast  that  myghte 
be.     Soo  whanne  Sire  Bors  was  come  to  fore  the  quene,  20 
thenne  she  sayd,  "  A,  Sire  Bors,  have  ye  herd  say  how 
falsly    Sir    Launcelot    hath    bytrayed    me  ? "       "  AUas, 
madame,"  said  Sire  Bors,  "  I  am  aferd  he  hath  bytrayed 
hym   self  and   us   alle."      "  No   force,"   said  the   quene, 
"though    he    be    destroyed,    for    he    is    a    fals    traytour  25 
knyghte."     "  Madame,"  sayd  Sir  Bors,  "  I  pray  yow  saye 
ye   not  so,   for^  wete  yow  wel   I   maye   not  here   suche 
langage  of  hym."     "Why,  Sire  Bors,"  sayd  she,  "  shold 
1  not  calle  hym  traytour,  whan  he  bare  the  reed  sieve 
upon    his    hede    at   Wynchestre    at    the   grete    justes  ? "  30 
"Madame,"  sayd  Syre  Bors,  "that  sleeve  beryng  repent- 


1S4  LE   MORJ'K    DARTHUR.        [Book  XVIII. 

eth  me  sore,  but  I  dar  say  he  dyd  it  to  none  evylle 
entente,  but  for  this  cause  he  bare  the  reed  sieve,  that 
none  yf  ^  his  blood  shold  knowe  hym  ;  for,  or  thenne,  we 
nor  none  of  us  alle  never  knewe  that  ever  he  bare  token 
5  or  sygne  of  maydc,  lady,  ne  gentylwoman."  "  Fy  on 
hym,"  said  the  queue,  "  yet  for  all  his  pryde  and 
bobaunce  there  ye  proved  your  self  his  better."  "  Nay, 
madame,  saye  ye  never  more  soo,  for  he  bete  me  and  my 
felawes,  and  myghte  have  slayne  us,  and  he  had  wold." 

10  "'  Fy  on  hym,"  sayd  the  quene,  "for  I  herd  Sir  Gawayne 
saye  bifore  my  lord  Arthur  that  it  were  merveil  to  telle 
the  grete  love  that  is  bitwene  the  fayre  mayden  of  Astolat 
and  hym."  "  Madame,"  saide  Syre  Bors,  "  I  maye  not 
warne  Syr  Gawayne  to  say  what  it  pleasyd  hym,  but  I 

15  dare  say  as  for  my  lord  Syre  Launcelot  that  he  loveth  no 
lady,  gentilwoman,  nor  mayde,  but  all  he  loveth  in  lyke 
moche,  and  therfor,  madame,"  said  Sir  Bors,  "ye  may 
saye  what  ye  wylle,  but  wete  ye  wel  I  wille  haste  me  to 
seke  hym,  and  fynde  hym  where  somever  he  be,  and  God 

20  sende  me  good  tydynges  of  hym."  And  soo  leve  we 
them  there  and  speke  we  of  Sire  Launcelot  that  lay  in 
grete  perylle. 

Soo  as  fayr  Elayne  cam  to  Wynchestre   she   soughte 
there  al  aboute,  and  by  fortune  Syr  Lavayne  was  ryden 

25  to  playe  hym  to  enchauffe  his  hors.  And  anone  as 
Elayne  sawe  hym  she  knewe  hym,  and  thenne  she  cryed 
on  loude  untyl  hym.  And  whan  he  herd  her,  anone  he 
came  to  her,  and  thenne  she  asked  her  broder,  "  How 
dyd  my  lord  Sire  Launcelot  ?  "     "  Who  told  yow,  syster, 

30  that  my  lordes  name  was  Sir  Launcelot  ?  "  Thenne  she 
told  hym  how  Sire  Gawayne  by  his  sheld  knewe  hym. 
Soo  they  rode  to  gyders  tyl  that  they  cam  to  the  hermy- 
tage,  and  anone  she  alyghte.      So  Sir  Lavayne  broughte 

1  Read  of. 


Chap.  XV.]     ELAYNE  GOES  TO  LAUXCELOT.  185 

her  in  to  Sire  Launcelot.  And  whanne  she  sawe  hym  lye 
so  seke  and  pale  in  his  bedde,  she  myght  not  speke,  but 
sodenly  she  felle  to  the  erthe  doune  sodenly  in  a  swoun, 
and  there  she  lay  a  grete  whyle.  And  whanne  she  was 
relevyd  she  shryked  and  saide,  "  My  lord,  Sire  Launcelot,  5 
alias,  why  be  ye  in  this  plyte  ?  "  and  thenne  she  swouned 
ageyne.  And  thenne  Sir  Launcelot  prayd  Syre  Lavayne 
to  "  take  her  up  and  brynge  her  to  me."^  And  whan  she 
cam  to  her  self,  Sire  Launcelot  kyst  her,  and  said,  "'  Fair 
mayden,  why  fare  ye  thus  ?  Ye  put  me  to  payne  ;  wher-  10 
for  make  ye  nomore  suche  chere,  for,  and  ye  be  come  to 
comforte  me,  ye  be  ry^V/t  welcome ;  and  of  this  lytel 
hurte  that  I  have  I  shal  be  ryghte  hastely  hole  by  the 
grace  of  God.  But  I  merveylle,"  sayd  Sir  Launcelot, 
"who  told  yow  my  name."  Thenne  the  fayre  mayden  15 
told  hym  alle  how  Sire  Gawayne  was  lodged  with  her 
fader :  "  And  there  by  your  sheld  he  discoverd  your 
name."  "  Alias,"  sayd  Sir  Launcelot,  "  that  me  repent- 
eth  that  my  name  is  knowen,  for  I  am  sure  it  wille  torne 
unto  angre."  And  thenne  Sir  Launcelot  compast  in  his  20 
mynde  that  Syre  Gawayne  wold  telle  quene  Guenever 
how  he  bare  the  reed  sieve,  and  for  whome,  that  he  wyst 
wel  wold  torne  unto  grete  angre.  Soo  this  mayden 
Elayne  never  wente  from  Sir  Launcelot,  but  watched  hym 
day  and  nyght,  and  dyd  suche  attendaunce  to  hym  that  25 
the  Frensshe  book  saith  there  was  never  woman  dyd 
more  kyndelyer  for  man  than  she.  Thenne  Sir  Launcelot 
prayd  Sir  Lavayne  to  make  aspyes  in  Wynchestre  for 
Sire  Bors  yf  he  came  there,  and  told  hym  by  what  tokens 
he  shold  knowe  hym,  by  a  wound  in  his  forhede,  "  For  wel  3° 
I  am  sure,"  sayd  Sire  Launcelot,  "  that  Syre  Bors  wille 
seke  me,  for  he  is  the  same  good  kny^//t  that  hurte  me." 

1  15y  amending  mc  to   hym    this    quotation    becomes,  of  course, 
indirect. 


186  LE  MOKTE  D ARTHUR.       [Book  XVIII. 


Capltulum  jvj. 

Now  torne  we  unto  Sire  Bors  de  Ganys,  that  cam  unto 
Wynchestre  to  sake  after  his  cosyn,  Syre  Launcelot ;  and 
SCO  whanne  he  cam  to  Wynchestre  anone  there  were  men 
that  Sire  Lavayne  had  made  to  lye  in  a  watche  for  suche 
5  a  man,  and  anone  Sir  Lavayne  had  warnynge,  and  thenne 
Sire  Lavayne  came  to  Wynchestre  and  fond  Sir  Bors  ; 
and  there  he  told  hym  what  he  was,  and  with  whome  he 
was,  and  what  was  his  name.  "  Now,  fayr  knyghte,"  said 
Sire  Bors,  "  I  requyre  yow  that  ye  wille  brynge  me  to  my 

10  lord  Sir  Launcelot."  "  Syre,"  sayd  Sir  Lavayne,  "  take 
your  hors,  and  within  this  houre  ye  shall  see  hym  ";  and 
soo  they  departed  and  came  to  the  hermytage. 

A.nd   whan   Sir   Bors    sawe   Sir   Launcelot    lye   in   his 
bedde    pale    and    discoloured,   anone   Sir   Bors    lost    his 

15  countenaunce,  and  for  kyndenes  and  pyte  he  myghte  not 
speke,  but  wepte  tendirly  a  grete  whyle.  And  thenne 
whanne  he  myght  speke  he  said  thus  :  "  O  my  lord  Sire 
Launcelot,  God  yow  blysse,  and  send  yow  hasty  recover ; 
and  ful  hevy  am  I  of  my  mysfortune  and  of  myn  unhap- 

20  pynes,  for  now  I  may  calle  my  self  unhappy,  and  I  drede 
me  that  God  is  gretely  displeasyd  with  me  that  he  wold 
suffre  me  to  have  suche  a  shame  for  to  hurte  yow,  that 
ar  alle  oure  leder  and  alle  oure  worshyp,  and  therfor  I 
calle  my  self  unhappy.     Alias,  that  ever  suche  a  caytyf 

25  knyghte  as  I  am  shold  have  power  by  unhappynes  to 
hurte  the  moost  noblest  knyghte  of  the  world  ;  where  I 
soo  shamefully  set  upon  yow  and  overcharged  yow,  and 
where  ye  myghte  have  slayne  me  ye  saved  me,  and  so 
dyd  not  I ;   for  I  and  your  blood  did  to  yow  our  utter- 

30  aunce.  I  merveylc,"  sayd  Sire  Bors,  '"  that  my  herte  or 
my  blood  wold  serve  me  :  wherfor,  my  lord  Sir  Launcelot, 


Chap.  XVI.]       BORS    VISITS  LAUNCELOT.  187 

I  aske  your  mercy."  "  Fair  cosyn,"  said  Sire  Launcelot, 
"  ye  be  ryght  welcome,  and  wete  ye  wel  over  moche  ye 
say  for  to  please  me,  the  whiche  pleaseth  me  not;  for 
why?  I  have  the  same  y-sought,  for  I  wold  with  pryde 
have  overcome  yow  alle,  and  there  in  my  pryde  I  was  5 
nere  slayne,  and  that  was  in  myn  owne  defaute ;  for  I 
myghte  have  gyve  yow  warnyng  of  my  beynge  there. 
And  thenne  had  I  had  noo  hurte  ;  for  it  is  an  old  sayd 
sawe,  '  there  is  hard  bataille  there  as  kynne  and  frendes 
doo  bataille  evther  ageynste  other,  there  maye  be  no  10 
mercy  but  mortal  warre.'  Therfor,  fair  cosyn,"  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  "lete-thys  speche  overpasse,  and  alle  shalle 
be  welcome  that  God  sendeth,  and  lete  us  leve  of  this 
mater,  and  lete  us  speke  of  somme  rejoycynge,  for  this 
that  is  done  maye  not  be  undone,  and  lete  us  fynde  a  15 
remedy  how  soone  that  I  may  be  hole." 

Thenne  Sire  Bors  lened  upon  his  beddes  syde,  and 
told  Sire  Launcelot  how  the  queue  was  passynge  wrothe 
with  hym  by  cause  he  ware  the  reed  sieve  at  the  grete 
justes.  And  there  Sir  Bors  told  hym  alle  how  Sir  20 
Gawayne  discovered  hit  "  by  youre  sheld  that  ye  lefte 
with  the  fayre  mayden  of  Astolat."  "  Thenne  is  the 
queue  wrothe,"  said  Sir  Launcelot,  "and  therfor  am  I 
ryght  hevy,  for  I  deserved  no  wrath,  for  alle  that  I  dyd 
was  by  cause  1  wold  not  be  knowen."  "'  Ryght  so  25 
excused  I  yow,"  said  Sir  Bors,  "but  alle  was  in  vayne, 
for  she  sayd  more  largelyer  to  me  tha;/  I  to  yow  now. 
Ikit  is  this  she,"  said  Sire  Bors,  "that  is  so  besy  aboute 
yow,  that  men  calle  the  fayre  mayden  of  Astolat  ?  "  "  She 
it  is,"  said  Sire  Launcelot,  "  that  by  no  meanes  I  can  not  30 
putte  her  from  me."  "Why  shold  ye  putte  her  from 
you  ?  "  said  Sire  Bors,  "  she  is  a  passynge  fayre  damoysel, 
and  a  wel  bisene  and  wel  taughte  ;  and  God  wold,  fayre 
cosyn,"  said  Syre  Bors,  "  that  ye  coude  love  her,  but  as 


188  LE  MOKTE  D ARTHUR.        [Book  XVIII. 

to  that  I  may  not,  nor  I  dare  not  counceyle  yow.  But  I 
see  wel,"  sayd  Sir  Bors,  "  by  her  dylygence  aboute  you 
that  she  loveth  you  entierly."  "That  me  repenteth," 
said  Sir  Lauwcelot.  "  Syr,"  said  Syr  Bors,  "  she  is  not 
5  the  fyrst  that  hath  loste  her  payn  upon  yow,  and  that  is 
the  more  pyte."  And  soo  they  talked  of  many  moo 
thynges.  And  soo  within  thre  dayes  or  four  Sire 
Launcelot  was  bygge  and  stronge  ageyne. 

Capitulum  jvij. 

Thenne  Sire  Bors  told  Sire  Launcelot  how  there  was 

ID  sworne  a  grete  turnement  and  justes  betwixe  kynge 
Arthur  and  the  kynge  of  Northgalys,  that  sholde  be  upon 
Al-halowmasse  day  besyde  Wynchestre.  "  Is  that  trouthe," 
said  Sir  Launcelot,  "  thenne  shalle  ye  abyde  with  me  styl 
a  lytyll  whyle  untyl  that  I  be  hole,  for  I  fele  my  self  ryght 

IS  bygge  and  stronge."  "  Blessid  be  God,"  said  Syr  Bors. 
Thenne  were  they  there  nygh  a  moneth  to  gyders,  and 
ever  this  mayden  Elayn  dyd  ever  her  dylygente  labour 
nyghte  and  daye  unto  Syr  Launcelot,  that  ther  was  never 
child  nor  wyf  more  meker  to  her  fader  and  husband  than 

20  was  that  fayre  mayden  of  Astolat ;  wherfore  Sir  Bors  was 
gretely  pleasyd  with  her. 

Soo  upon  a  day,  by  the  assente  of  Syr. Launcelot,  Syre 
Bors,  and  Syre  Lavayne,  they  made  the  heremyte  to  seke 
in  woodes  for  dyverse  herbes,  and  soo  Sir  Launcelot  made 

25  fayre  Elayne  to  gadre  herbes  for  hym  to  make  hym  a 
bayne.  In  the  meane  whyle  Syr  Launcelot  made  hym  to 
arme  hym  at  alle  pyeces,  and  there  he  thoughte  to  assaye 
his  armour  and  his  spere,  for  his  hurte  or  not.  And  soo 
whan  he  was  upon  his  hors,  he  stered  hym  fyersly ;  and 

30  the  hors  was  passynge  lusty  and  fresshe  by  cause  he  was 
not  laboured  a  moneth  afore.     And  thenne  Syr  Launcelot 


Chap.  XVII.]     LA UNCELOT  TRIES  HIS  STRENGTH.      189 

couched  that  spere  in  the  reest,  that  courser  lepte 
myghtely  whan  he  felte  the  spores ;  and  he  that  was 
upon  hym,  the  whiche  was  the  noblest  hors  of  the  world, 
strayned  hym  myghtely  and  stably,  and  kepte  stylle  the 
spere  in  the  reest.  And  ther  with  Syre  Launcelot  5 
strayned  hym  self  soo  straytly,  with  soo  grete  force,  to 
gete  the  hors  forward  that  the  buttom  of  his  wound  brast 
bothe  within  and  withoute,  and  there  with  alle  the  blood 
cam  oute  so  fyersly  that  he  felte  hym  self  soo  feble  that 
he  myghte  not  sytte  upon  his  hors.  And  thenne  Syr  10 
Launcelot  cryed  unto  Syr  Bors,  "  A,  Syr  Bors  and  Syr 
Lavayne,  helpe !  for  I  am  come  to  myn  ende."  And 
there  with  he  felle  doun  on  the  one  syde  to  the  erthe 
lyke  a  dede  corps.  And  thenne  Syr  Bors  and  Syr 
Lavayne  came  to  hym  with  sorowe  makyng  out  of  15 
mesure. 

And  soo  by  fortune  the  mayden  Elayn  herd  their 
mornyng,  and  thenne  she  came  thyder,  and  whan  she 
fond  Syr  Launcelot  there  armed  in  that  place,  she  cryed 
and  wepte  as  she  had  ben  woode ;  and  thenne  she  kyst  20 
hym  and  dyd  what  she  myghte  to  awake  hym.  And 
thenne  she  rebuked  her  broder  and  Sir  Bors,  and  called 
hem  fals  traytours,  why  they  wold  take  hym  out  of  his 
bedde.  There  she  cryed  and  sayd  she  wold  appele  them 
of  his  deth.  With  this  came  the  holy  heremyte,  Syr  25 
Bawdewyn  of  Bretayne.  And  whan  he  fond  Syr  Launce- 
lot in  that  plyte,  he  sayd  but  lytel,  but  wete  ye  wel  he  was 
wrothe,  and  thenne  he  bad  hem,  "  Lete  us  have  hym  in." 
And  so  they  alle  bare  hym  unto  the  hermytage,  and 
unarmed  hym,  and  layd  hym  in  his  bedde,  and  ever  more  30 
liis  wound  bledde  pytously,  but  he  stered  no  lymme  of 
hym.  Thenne  the  knyghte  heremyte  put  a  thynge  in  his 
nose,  and  a  lytel  dele  of  water  in  his  mouthe.  And 
thenne   Sir  Launcelot  waked  of  his  swoune,  and  thenne 


190  LE   MONTI']   J) ARTHUR.        [P.ook   Will. 

the  heremyte  staunched  liis  bledynge.  And  whan  he 
myghte  speke,  he  asked  Sir  Launcelot  why  he  putte  his 
lyf  in  jeopardy.  "  Sir,"  said  Syre  Launcelot,  "  by  cause  I 
wende  I  had  ben  stronge,  and  also  Syre  Eors  told  me 
5  that  there  shold  be  at  Al-halowmasse  a  grete  justes 
betwixe  kynge  Arthur  and  the  kynge  of  Northgalys,  and 
therfor  I  thoughte  to  assaye  hit  my  self,  whether  I  myght 
be  there  or  not."  "  A,  Syr  Launcelot,"  sayd  the  here- 
myte, "  your  herte  and  your  courage  wille  never  be  done 

lo  untyl  your  last  day,  but  ye  shal  doo  now  by  my  counceylle  : 
lete  Sire  Bors  departe  from  yow,  and  lete  hym  doo  at  that 
turnement  what  he  may,  and  by  the  grace  of  God,"  sayd 
the  knyghte  heremyte,  "  by  that  the  turnement  be  done, 
and  ye  come  hydder  ageyne,  Syr  Launcelot  shall  be  as 

15  hole  as  ye,  soo  that  he  wil  be  governed  by  me." 

Capitulum  jviij. 

Thenne  Sire  Bors  made  hym  redy  to  departe  from 
Syre  Launcelot,  and  thenne  Sire  Launcelot  sayd,  "  Faire 
cosyn  Syr  Bors,  recommaunde  me  unto  all  them  unto 
whome  me  oughte  to  recommaunde  me  unto,  and  I  pray 

20  yow  enforce  your  self  at  that  justes  that  ye  maye  be  best 
for  my  love,  and  here  shalle  I  abyde  yow,  at  the  mercy  of 
God,  tyl  ye  come  ageyne."  And  so  Sir  Bors  departed 
and  came  to  the  courte  of  kyng  Arthur,  and  told  hem  in 
what  place   he   had   lefte   Syre   Launcelot.      "  That  me 

25  repenteth,"  said  the  kynge,  "but  syn  he  shall  have  his 
lyf  we  all  may  thanke  God."  And  there  Syre  Bors  told 
the  queue  in  what  jeopardy  Syre  Launcelot  was,  whanne 
he  wold  assaye  his  hors  :  "  And  alle  that  he  dyd,  madame, 
was  for  the  love  of  yow,  by  cause  he  wold  have  ben  at 

30  this  turnement."  "  Fy  on  hym,  recreaunt  knyghte,"  sayd 
the  queue ;    "  for  wete   ye  wel   I   am  ryght  sory  and  he 


Chap.  XVI [I.]      TOURXAMKXT  A7^  ]VIArCHESTER.        191 

shalle  have  his  lyf."  "  His  lyf  shalle  he  have,"  said  Syr 
Bors,  "  and  who  that  wold  other  wyse,  excepte  you, 
madame,  we  that  ben  of  his  blood  shold  helpe  to  shorte 
theire  lyves.  But,  madame,"  sayd  Syr  Bors,  "  ye  have  ben 
oftymes  displesyd  with  my  lord  Syr  Launcelot,  but  at  all  5 
tymes  at  the  ende  ye  fynde  hym  a  true  knyghte";  and 
soo  he  departed.  And  thenne  every  knyghte  of  the 
Round  Table  that  were  there  at  that  tyme  present  made 
them  redy  to  be  at  that  justes  at  All-halowmasse,  and 
thyder  drewe  many  knyghtes  of  dy verse  countreyes.  And  10 
as  Al-halowemasse  drewe  nere  thydder  came  the  kynge 
of  Northgalys,  and  the  kynge  with  the  honderd  knyghtes, 
and  Syr  Galahaut  the  haute  prynce  of  Surluse,  and 
thydder  came  kynge  Anguysshe  of  Irland,  and  the  kynge 
of  Scottes.  Soo  these  thre  kynges  came  on  kynge  15 
Arthurs  party.  And  soo  that  daye  Syre  Gawayne  dyd 
grete  dedes  of  armes,  and  began  fyrst,  and  the  herowdes 
nombred-that  Sir  Gawayne  smote  doune  xx  knyghtes. 
Thenne  Syr  Bors  de  Ganys  came  to  the  same  tyme,  and 
he  was  nombred  that  he  smote  doune  twenty  knyghtes.  20 
And  therfor  the  pryce  was  gyven  betwixe  them  bothe,  for 
they  began  fyrst  and  lengest  endured. 

Also  Syr  Gareth,  as  the  book  sayth,  dyd  that  daye 
grete  dedes  of  armes,  for  he  smote  doune  and  pulled 
doune  thyrtty  knyghtes.  But  whan  he  had  done  these  25 
dedes  he  taryed  not,  but  soo  departed,  and  therfor  he 
lost  his  pryce.  And  Sir  Palomydes  did  grete  dedes  of 
armes  that  day,  for  he  smote  doun  twenty  kny^//tes,  but 
he  departed  sodenly  ;  and  men  demed  Syre  Gareth  and 
he  rode  to  gyders  to  somme  maner  adventures.  Soo  30 
whan  this  turnement  was  done,  Syr  Bros  departed,  and 
rode  tyl  he  came  to  Syre  Launcelot  his  cosyn,  and  thenne 
he  fonde  hym  walkynge  on  his  feet,  and  ther  eyther  made 
grete  joye  of  other,  and  so  Sire  Bors  tolde  Syr  Launcelot 


192  LE   MORTE   DARTIWK.        [Book  XVIII. 

of  all  the  justes  lyke  as  ye  have  herde.  "  I  merveille," 
said  Sir  Laiincelot,  "  that  Syre  Gareth,  whan  he  had  done 
suche  dedes  of  amies,  that  he  wolde  not  tary."  "  Therof 
we  merveyled  al,"  saide  Syr  Bors,  "  for  but  yf  it  were 
5  yow,  or  Syr  Tristram,  or  Syre  Lamorak  de  Galys,  I  sawe 
never  kny^V/t  here  doune  soo  many  in  so  lytel  a  whyle  as 
dyd  Syr  Gareth.  And  anone  as  he  was  gone  we  wyste 
not  where."  "  By  my  hede,"  said  Sir  Launcelot,  "he  is 
a  noble  knyghte,   and  a  myghty  man,  and  wel  brethed, 

lo  and  yf  he  were  wel  assayed,"  said  Sir  Launcelot,  "  I  wold 
deme  he  were  good  ynough  for  ony  knyghte  that  bereth 
the  lyf,  and  he  is  a  gentyl  knyghte,  curtois,  true,  and 
bounteuous,  meke  and  mylde,  and  in  hym  is  no  maner  of 
male  engyn,  but  playne,  feythful,  and  trewe."  Soo  thenne 

15  they  made  hem  redy  to  departe  from  the  heremyte,  and 
so  upon  a  morne  they  took  their  horses  and  Elayne  le 
Blank  with  them.  And  whan  they  came  to  Astolat,  there 
were  they  wel  lodged,  and  had  grete  chere  of  Syre 
Bernard  the  old  baron  and  of  Sir  Tyrre  his  sone,  and  so 

20  upon  the  morne,  whan  Syr  Launcelot  shold  departe,  fayre 
Elayne  brou^/^t  her  fader  with  her  and  Sir  Lavayne  and 
Sir  Tyrre,  and  thus  she  said  : 

Capitulum  jij, 

"  My  lord  Syr  Launcelot,  now  I  see  ye  wylle  departe. 
Now,   fayre   knyghte   and   curtois  knyghte,   have  mercy 

25  upon  me  and  suffer  me  not  to  dye  for  thy  love."  "What 
wold  ye  that  I  dyd  ? "  said  Syr  Launcelot.  "  I  wold  have 
you  to  my  husbond,"  sayd  Elayne.  "Fair  damoysel,  I 
thanke  yow,"  sayd  Syr  Launcelot,  "  but  truly,"  sayd  he, 
"  I  cast  me  never  to  be  wedded  man."     "  Thenne,  fair 

30  knyght,"  said  she,  "  wylle  ye  be  my  peramour  ?  "  "  Jhesu 
defende  me,"  said  Syr  Launcelot,  "  for  thenne  I  rewarded 


Chap.  XIX.]     LAUNCELOT  LEAVES  ELAYNE.  193 

your  fader  and  your  broder  ful  evylle  for  their  grete 
goodenes."  ""  Alias,"  sayd  she,  "  thenne  must  I  dye  for 
your  love."  "Ye  shal  not  so,"  said  Syre  Launcelot,  "for 
wete  ye  wel,  fayr  mayden,  I  myght  have  ben  maryed  and 
I  had  wolde,  but  I  never  applyed  me  to  be  maryed  yet ;  5 
but  by  cause,  fair  damoysel,  that  ye  love  me  as  ye  saye 
ye  doo,  I  wille,  for  your  good  wylle  and  kyndenes,  shewe 
yow  somme  goodenes,  and  that  is  this,  that  were  somever 
ye  wille  beset  youre  herte  upon  somme  goode  knyghte 
that  wylle  wedde  yow,  I  shalle  gyve  yow  to  gyders  a  10 
thousand  pound  yerely,  to  yow  and  to  your  heyres ;  thus 
moche  will  I  gyve  yow,  faire  madame,  for  your  kyndenes, 
and  alweyes  whyle  I  lyve  to  be  your  owne  knyghte." 
"  Of  alle  this,"  saide  the  mayden,  "  I  wille  none,  for,  but 
yf  ye  wille  wedde  me,  or  ellys  be  my  peramour  at  the  15 
leest,  wete  yow  wel.  Sir  Launcelot,  my  good  dayes  are 
done."  "  Fair  damoysel,"  sayd  Sir  Launcelot,  "of  these 
ij  thynges  ye  must  pardonne  me."  Thenne  she  shryked 
shyrly  and  felle  doune  in  a  swoune  ;  and  thenne  wymmen 
bare  her  in  to  her  chamber,  and  there  she  made  over  20 
moche  sorowe.  And  thenne  Sir  Launcelot  wold  departe, 
and  there  he  asked  Sir  Lavayn  what  he  wold  doo. 
"  What  shold  I  doo,"  said  Syre  Lavayne,  "  but  folowe 
yow,  but  yf  ye  dryve  me  from  yow,  or  commaunde  me  to 
goo  from  yow  ? "  Thenne  came  Sir  Bernard  to  Sir  25 
Launcelot,  and  sayd  to  hym,  "  1  can  not  see  but  that  my 
doughter  Elayne  wille  dye  for  your  sake."  "  I  maye  not 
doo  with  alle,"  said  Sir  Launcelot,  "  for  that  me  sore 
repenteth  ;  for  I  reporte  me  to  youre  self  that  my  profer 
is  fayre,  and  me  repenteth,"  said  Syr  Launcelot,  "  that  she  30 
loveth  me  as  she  doth.  I  was  never  the  causer  of  hit, 
for  I  reporte  me  to  youre  sone,  I  erly  ne  late  profered 
her  bounte  nor  faire  byhestes ;  and  as  for  me,"  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  "  I  dare  do  alle  that  a  knyght  shold  doo  that 


194  LE   MORTE    PAKTHUK.        [Book  XVIII. 

she  is  a  clene  mayden  for  me,  bothe  for  dede  and  for 
wille.  And  I  am  ryght  hevy  of  her  distresse,  for  she  is  a 
fill  fayre  mayden,  good,  and  gentyl,  and  well  taughte." 
"  Fader,"  said  Sir  Lavayne,  "  I  dar  make  goood^  she  is  a 
5  clene  mayden  as  for  my  lord  Sir  Launcelot,  but  she  doth 
as  I  doo ;  for  sythen  I  fyrst  sawe  my  lord  Sir  Launcelot 
I  coude  never  departe  from  hym,  nor  nought  I  wylle,  and 
I  maye  folowe  hym."  Thenne  Sir  Launcelot  took  his 
leve,  and  soo  they  departed,  and  came  unto  Wynchestre. 

10  And  whan  Arthur  wyste  that  Syr  Launcelot  was  come 
hole  and  sound,  the  kynge  maade  grete  joye  of  hym,  and 
soo  dyd  Sir  Gawayn  and  all  the  kny^//tes  of  the  Round 
Table  excepte  Sir  Agravayn  and  Sire  Mordred.  Also 
quene  Guenever  was  woode  wrothe  with  Sir  Launcelot, 

15  and  wold  by  no  meanes  speke  with  hym,  but  enstraunged 
her  self  from  hym,  and  Sir  Launcelot  made  alle  the 
meanes  that  he  myght  for  to  speke  with  the  quene,  but 
hit  wolde  not  be. 

Now  speke  we  of  the  fayre   mayden   of   Astolat  that 

20  made  suche  sorowe  daye  and  nyght  that  she  never  slepte, 
ete,  nor  drank,  and  ever  she  made  her  complaynt  unto 
Sir  Launcelot.  So  when  she  had  thus  endured  a  ten 
dayes,  that  she  febled  so  that  she  must  nedes  passe  out 
of  thys  world,  thenne  she  shryved  her  clene,  and  receyved 

25  her  Creatoure.  And  ever  she  complayned  stylle  upon 
Sire  Launcelot.  Thenne  her  ghoostly  fader  bad  her  leve 
suche  thoughtes.  Thenne  she  sayd,  "  Why  shold  I  leve 
suche  thoughtes  ?  am  I  not  an  erthely  woman  ?  And  alle 
the  whyle  the  brethe  is  in  my  body  I  may  complayne  me, 

30  for  my  byleve  is  I  doo  none  offence  though  I  love  an 
erthely  man,  and  I  take  God  to  my  record  I  loved  none 
but  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake,  nor  never  shall,  and  a  clene 
mayden  I  am  for  hym  and  for  alle  other,  and  sythen  hit 

1  Sic. 


J-^-L^^I.     i     iA  K^  t  J^^  1^  JTX     I    ^  \    LI.  .  IV  J 


is  the  sufferaunce  of  God  that  I  shalle  dye  for  the  love  of 
SCO  noble  a  knyghte,  I  byseche  the  Hyghe  Fader  of 
heven  to  have  mercy  upon  my  sowle,  and  upon  myn 
innumerable  paynes  that  I  suifred  may  be  allygeaunce  of 
parte  of  my  synnes.  For,  swete  Lord  Jhesu,"  sayd  the  5 
fayre  mayden,  "  I  take  the  to  record,  on  the  I  was  never 
grete  offenser  ageynst  thy  lawes,  but  that  I  loved  this 
noble  knyght  Sire  Launcelot  out  of  mesure,  and  of  my 
self,  good  Lord,  1  myght  not  withstande  the  fervent  love 
wherfor  I  have  my  dethe."  And  thenne  she  called  her  10 
fader  Sire  Bernard  and  her  broder  Sir  Tyrre,  and  hertely 
she  praid  her  fader  that  her  broder  myght  wryte  a  letter 
lyke  as  she  did  endyte  hit ;  and  so  her  fader  graunted 
her.  And  whan  the  letter  was  wryten  word  by  word  lyke 
as  she  devysed,  thenne  she  prayd  her  fader  that  she  15 
myght  be  watched  untyl  she  were  dede.  "  And  whyle  my 
body  is  bote,  lete  this  letter  be  putt  in  my  ryght  hand, 
and  my  hande  bou//de  fast  with  the  letter  untyl  that  I  be 
cold,  and  lete  me  be  putte  in  a  fayre  bedde  with  alle  the 
rychest  clothes  that  I  have  aboute  me,  and  so  lete  my  20 
bedde  and  alle  my  rychest  clothes  be  laide  with  me  in  a 
charyot  unto  the  next  place  where  Temse  is,  and  there 
lete  me  be  putte  within  a  barget,  and  but  one  man  with 
me,  suche  as  ye  trust  to  stere  me  thyder,  and  that  my 
barget  be  coverd  with  blak  samyte  over  and  over.  Thus,  25 
fader,  I  byseche  yow  lete  hit  be  done."  Soo  her  fader 
graunted  hit  her  feythfully,  alle  thynge  shold  be  done  lyke 
as  she  had  devysed.  Thenne  her  fader  and  her  broder 
made  grete  dole,  for  when  this  was  done,  anone  she  dyed. 
And  soo  whan  she  was  dede,  the  corps,  and  the  bedde,  3° 
alle  was  ledde  the  next  way  unto  Temse,  and  there  a  man, 
and  the  corps,  and  alle,  were  put  in  to  Temse,  and  soo  the 
man  styred  the  barget  unto  Westmynster,  and  there  he 
rowed  a  grete  whyle  to  and  fro  or  ony  aspyed  hit. 


196  LE  MORTE   D ARTHUR.        [Book  XVIII. 


Capita lum  n. 

Soo  by  fortune  kynge  Arthur  and  the  queue  Guenever 
were  spekynge  to  gyders  at  a  wyndowe ;  and  soo  as  they 
loked  in  to  Temse,  they  aspyed  this  blak  barget,  and 
hadde  merveylle  what  it  mente.  Thenne  the  kynge 
5  called  Sire  Kay  and  shewed  hit  hym.  "  Sir,"  said  Sir 
Kay,  "  wete  you  wel  there  is  some  newe  tydynges." 
"  Goo  thyder,"  sayd  the  kynge  to  Sir  Kay,  "  and  take 
with  yow  Sire  Brandyles  and  Agravayne,  and  brynge  me 
redy  word  what  is  there."     Thenne  these  four  knyghtes 

lo  departed,  and  came  to  the  barget,  and  wente  in ;  and 
there  they  fond  the  fayrest  corps  lyenge  in  a  ryche 
bedde,  and  a  poure  man  sittyng  in  the  bargets  ende,  and 
no  word  wold  he  speke.  Soo  these  foure  knyghtes 
retorned  unto  the  kyng  ageyne,  and  told  hym  what  they 

15  fond.  "That  fayr  corps  wylle  I  see,"  sayd  the  kynge. 
And  soo  thenne  the  kyng  took  the  queue  by  the  hand 
and  went  thydder.  Thenne  the  kynge  made  the  barget 
to  be  holden  fast,  and  thenne  the  kyng  and  tho.  queue 
entred  with  certayn  kny^//tes  wyth  them,  and  there  he 

20  sawe  the  fayrest  woman  lye  in  a  ryche  bedde  coverd  unto 
her  myddel  with  many  ryche  clothes,  and  alle  was  of 
clothe  of  gold,  and  she  lay  as  though  she  had  smyled. 
Thenne  the  queue  aspyed  a  letter  in  her  ryght  hand,  and 
told  it  to  the  kynge.     Thenne  the  kynge  took  it  and  sayd, 

25  "  Now  am  I  sure  this  letter  wille  telle  what  she  was,  and 
why  she  is  come  hydder."  Soo  thenne  the  kynge  and 
the  quene  wente  oute  of  the  barget,  and  soo  commaunded 
a  certayne  wayte  upon  the  barget. 

And  soo  whan  the  kynge  was  come  within  his  chaw/ber, 

30  he  called  many  knyghtes  aboute  hym,  and  saide  that  he 
wold  wete  openly  what  was  wryten    within    that    letter. 


Chap.  XX.]  ELAYNE'S  LETTER.  197 

Thenne  the  kynge  brake  it,  and  made  a  clerke  to  rede 
hit,  and  this  was  the  entente  of  the  letter  :  "  Moost  noble 
knyghte.  Sir  Launcelot,  now  hath  dethe  made  us  two  at 
debate  for  your  love.  I  was  your  lover  that  men  called 
the  fayre  mayden  of  Astolat ;  therfor  unto  alle  ladyes  I  5 
make  my  mone.  Yet  praye  for  my  soule,  and  bery  me 
atte  leest,  and  offre  ye  my  masse  peny  ;  this  is  my  last 
request.  And  a  clene  mayden  I  dyed,  I  take  God  to 
wytnes.  Pray  for  my  soule.  Sir  Launcelot,  as  thou  art 
pierles."  This  was  alle  the  substance  in  the  letter.  And  10 
whan  it  was  redde,  the  kyng,  the  quene,  and  alle  the 
knyghtes  wepte  for  pyte  of  the  doleful  cowplayntes. 

Thenne  was  Sire  Launcelot  sente  for.  And  whan  he 
was  come,  kynge  Arthur  made  the  letter  to  be  redde  to 
hym.  And  whanne  Sire  Launcelot  herd  hit  word  by  15 
word,  he  sayd,  "  My  lord  Arthur,  wete  ye  wel  I  am  ryghte 
hevy  of  the  dethe  of  this  fair  damoysel.  God  knoweth  I 
was  never  causer  of  her  dethe  by  my  wyllynge,  and  that 
wille  I  reporte  me  to  her  own  broder,  —  here  he  is.  Sir 
Lavayne.  I  wille  not  saye  nay,"  sayd  Syre  Launcelot,  20 
"  but  that  she  was  bothe  fayre  and  good,  and  moche  I 
was  beholden  unto  her,  but  she  loved  me  out  of  mesure." 
"  Ye  myght  have  shewed  her,"  sayd  the  quene,  "  somme 
bounte  and  gentilnes  that  myghte  have  preserved  her 
lyf."  "  Madame,"  sayd  Sir  Launcelot,  "'  she  wold  none  25 
other  wayes  be  ansuerd,  but  that  she  wold  be  my  wyf 
outher  els  my  peramour,  and  of  these  two  I  wold  not 
graunte  her,  but  I  proferd  her,  for  her  good  love  that  she 
shewed  me,  a  thousand  pound  yerly  to  her  and  to  her 
heyres,  and  to  wedde  ony  manere  knyghte  that  she  coude  30 
fynde  best  to  love  in  her  herte.  P'or,  madame,"  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  "  I  love  not  to  be  constrayned  to  love ;  for 
love  muste  aryse  of  the  herte,  arttl  not  by  no  constraynte." 
"That  is  trouth,"  sayd  the  kynge,  "and  many  knyghtes 


19S  LE   MOK77-:   DARTHl'R.         [HuoK   Will. 

love  is  free  in  hym  selfe  and  never  wille  be  bounden,  for 
where  he  is  bounden  he  looseth  hym  self."  Thenne  sayd 
the  kynge  unto  Sire  Launcelot,  "  Hit  wyl  be  your  worshyp 
that  ye  over  see  that  she  be  entered  worshypfuUy." 
5  "  Sire,"  sayd  Sire  Launcelot,  "  that  shalle  be  done  as  I 
can  best  devyse." 

And  soo  many  knyghtes  yede  thyder  to  behold  that 
fayr  mayden.  And  soo  upon  the  morne  she  was  entered 
rychely,  and  Sir  Launcelot  offryd  her  masse  peny,  and 

10  all  the  kny^//tes  of  the  Table  Round  that  were  there  at 
that  tyme  offryd  with  Syr  Launcelot.  And  thenne  the 
poure  man  wente  ageyne  with  the  barget.  Thenne  the 
quene  sente  for  Syr  Launcelot,  and  prayd  hym  of  mercy, 
for   why  that   she   had   ben  wrothe   with    hym   causeles. 

15  "This  is  not  the  fyrste  tyme,"  said  Sir  Launcelot,  "that 
ye  have  ben  displeasyd  with  me  causeles;  but,  madame, 
ever  I  must  suffre  yow,  but  what  sorowe  I  endurel  take  no 
force."  Soo  this  paste  on  alle  that  vvynter  with  alle  manere 
of  huntynge  and  haukyng,  and  justes  and  torneyes  were 

20  many  betwixe  many  grete  lordes,  and  ever  in  al  places 
Sir  Lavayne  gate  grete  worshyp,  soo  that  he  was  nobly 
renomed  amonge  many  knyghtes  of  the  Table  Round. 

Capitulum  xi\. 

Thus  it  past  on  tyl  Crystmasse  ;  and  thenne  every  day 
there  was  justes  made  for  a  dyamond,  who  that  justed 

25  best  shold  have  a  dyamond.  But  Syr  Launcelot  wold 
not  juste  but  yf  it  were  at  a  grete  justes  cryed.  But  Syr 
Lavayne  justed  there  alle  that  Crystemasse  passyngly 
wel,  and  best  was  praysed,  for  there  were  but  fewe  that 
dyd  so  wel ;    wherfore  alle  manere   of  knyghtes   demed 

30  that  Sir  Tyavayne  shold  be  made  knyghte  of  the  Table 
Round  at  the  nexte  feestc  of  Pentecost.      Soo  at  after 


Chap.  XXL]      THE  JOUSTS  FOR  A  DIAMOND.  199 

Crystmasse  kynge  Arthur  lete  calle  unto  hym  many 
knyghtes,  and  there  they  advysed  to  gyders  to  make  a 
party  and  a  grate  turnement  and  justes.  And  the  kynge 
of  Northgalys  sayd  to  Arthur  he  wold  have  on  his  party 
kvn^e  Ancuvsshe  of  Irland,  and  the  kvn2,e  with  the  ■; 
honderd  knv2:htes,  and  the  kvn-e  of  Northumberl  ind, 
and  Sire  Galahad  the  haute  prynce  :  and  soo  these  foure 
kynges  and  this  myghty  duke  took  puty  ageynst  kynge 
Arthur  and  the  knyghtes  of  the  I'able  Round.  And  the 
crye  was  made  that  the  day  of  the  justes  shold  be  besyde  lo 
VVestmynstre  upon  Candyhnas  day,  whcrof  m.iny  knyghtes 
were  glad,  and  made  them  redy  to  be  at  that  justes  in  the 
freyssheyst  maner.  Thcnne  queue  Guenevcr  sent  for  Syr 
Launcelot.  and  said  thus:  "  1  warne  vow  that  ye  ryde  ny 
more  in  no  justes  nor  turnemeniys.  but  that  youro  kyn-  15 
nesmen  mav  knowe  vow.  And  at  thise  iustes  that  shall 
be  ye  shalle  have  of  me  a  sieve  of  gold,  and  I  pray  yow 
for  my  sake  enforce  your  self  there  that  men  may  speke 
of  yow  worship.  But  I  charge  yow  as  ye  will  have 
my  love  that  ye  warne  youre  kynnesmen  that  ye  wille  20 
here  that  daye  the  sieve  of  gold  upon  your  helmet." 
"  Madame,"  said  Sir  Launcelot,  "  it  shalle  be  don  '":  and 
soo  eyther  made  grete  joye  of  other.  And  whan  Syre 
Launcelot  sawe  his  tyme,  he  told  Sir  Eors  that  he  wold 
departe,  and  have  no  more  with  hym  but  Sir  Lavayne,  25 
unto  the  good  heremyte  that  dwt-llid  in  that  forest  of 
Wvndsoore,  his  name  was  Sire  Brastias ;  and  there  he 
thoughte  to  repose  hym,  and  to  take  alle  the  rest  that  he 
myghte  by  cause  he  wold  be  fresshe  at  that  daye  of 
justes.  Soo  Sire  Launcelot  and  Sire  Lavayne  departed,  o 
that  noo  creature  wyst  where  he  was  become,  but  the 
noble  men  of  his  blood.  And  whanne  he  was  come  to 
the  hermytage,  wete  yow  w-el  he-  had  good  chere,  and  soo 
dayly   Syr    Launcelot    wold   goo   to   a   welle   fast   by  the 


200  LE  MORTE  D ARTHUR.        [Book  XVIII. 

hermytage,  and   there  he  wold   lye   doune   and   see   the 
welle  sprynge  and  burbyl,  and  somtyme  he  slepte  there. 

So  at  that  tyme  there  was  a  lady  dwellid  in  that  forest, 
and  she  was  a  grete  huntresse,  and  dayly  she  used  to 
5  hunte,  and  ever  she  bare  her  bowe  with  her ;  and  no  man 
wente  never  with  her,  but  alwayes  wynimen,  and  they 
were  shoters,  and  coude  wel  kylle  a  dere  bothe  at  the 
stalke  and  at  the  trest ;  and  they  dayly  bare  bowes  and 
arowes,  homes  and  wood  knyves,  and  many  good  dogges 

lo  they  had,  both  for  the  strynge  and  for  a  bate.  So  hit 
happed  this  lady,  the  huntresse,  had  abated  her  dogge 
for  the  bowe  at  a  barayne  hynde,  and  so  this  barayne 
hynde  took  the  flyghte  over  hedges  and  woodes.  And 
ever  this  lady  and  parte  of  her  wymmen  costed  the  hynde 

15  and  chekked  it  by  the  noyse  of  the  houndes  to  have 
mette  with  the  hynde  at  somme  water.  And  soo  hit 
happed  the  hynde  came  to  the  welle  where  as  Sire 
Launcelot  was  slepyng  and  slomberynge.  And  soo  whan 
the  hynde  came  to  the  welle,  for  hete  she  wente  to  soyle, 

20  and  there  she  lay  a  grete  whyle.  And  the  dogges  came 
after,  and  umbecast  aboute,  for  she  had  lost  the  veray 
parfyte  feaute  of  the  hynde.  Ryghte  so  came  that  lady 
the  huntres,  that  knewe  by  thy^  dogge  that  she  had  that 
the  hynde  was  at  the  soyle  in  that  welle  ;  and  there  she 

25  cam  styfly  and  fonde  the  hynde,  and  she  put  a  brode 
arowe  in  her  bowe,  and  shot  atte  hynde,  and  over  shotte 
the  hynde,  and  soo  by  mysfortune  the  arowe  smote  Sir 
Launcelot  in  the  thyck  of  the  buttok,  over  the  barbys. 
Whanne  Sir  Launcelot  felte  hym  self  so  hurte,  he  hurled 

30  up  woodely,  and  sawe  the  lady  that  had  smyten  hym.  And 
whan  he  sawe  she  was  a  woman,  he  sayd  thus,  *'  Lady  or 
damoysel,  what  that  thow  be,  in  an  evylle  tyme  bare  ye  a 
bowe;  the  devylle  made  yow  a  shoter." 

1  Read  the. 


Chap.  XXII.]    A  HUNTRESS  IVOUADS  LAUNCELOT.     201 


Capitulum  n.    [SJiJ.] 

"  Now  mercy,  fair  sir,"  said  the  lady,  "  I  am  a  gentil- 
woman  that  useth  here  in  this  forest  huntynge,  and  God 
knoweth  I  sawe  yow  not,  but  as  here  was  a  barayn  hynde 
at  the  soyle  in  this  welle,  and  I  wend  to  have  done  wel, 
but  my  hand  swarved."  "  Alias,"  said  Syre  Launcelot,  5 
"ye  have  mescheved  me."  And  soo  the  lady  departed, 
and  Sir  Launcelot  as  he  myghte  pulled  oute  the  arowe, 
and  lefte  that  hede  styll  in  his  buttok,  and  soo  he  wente 
weykely  to  the  hermytage  ever  more  bledynge  as  he  went. 
And  whan  Sir  Lavayne  and  the  heremyte  aspyed  that  Sir  10 
Launcelot  was  hurte,  wete  yow  wel  they  were  passynge 
hevy,  but  Sire  Lavayne  wyst  not  how  that  he  was  hurte, 
nor  by  whome.  And  thenne  were  they  wrothe  out  of 
mesure.  Thenne  with  grete  payne  the  heremyte  gat  oute 
the  arowes  hede  oute  of  Syr  Launcelots  buttok,  and  15 
moche  of  his  blood  he  shedde,  and  the  wound  was 
passynge  sore,  and  unhappyly  sniyten,  for  it  was  in  suche 
a  place  that  he  myght  not  sytte  in  noo  sadyl.  "  A,  mercy, 
Jhesu,"  said  Sir  Launcelot,  "  I  may  calle  my  self  the 
moost  unhappyest  man  that  lyveth,  for  ever  whan  I  wold  20 
faynest  have  worshyp,  there  befalleth  me  ever  somme 
unhappy  thynge.  Now,  soo  Jhesu  me  helpe,"  said  Sir 
Launcelot,  "  and  yf  no  man  wold  but  God,  I  shalle  be  in 
the  felde  upon  Candelmasse  daye  at  the  justes  what 
somever  falle  of  hit."  Soo  alle  that  myght  be  goten  to  25 
hele  Sir  Launcelot  was  had. 

Soo  whan  the  day  was  come,  Sir  Launcelot  lete  devyse 
that  he  was  arayed,  and  Sir  Lavayne  and  their  horses  as 
\.\iO\xgh  they  had  ben  Sarazyns  ;  and  soo  they  departed 
and  cam  nygh  to  the  felde.    -The  kynge^  of  Northgalys  30 
with  an   honderd  knyghtes  with  hym,  and  the  kynge  of 


202  l.E   MORTE    D ARTHUR.        [Book  XVIII. 

Northumberland  broughte  with  hym  an  honderd  good 
knyghtes,  and  kynge  Anguysshe  of  Irland  brought  with 
hym  an  honderd  good  knyghtes  redy  to  juste,  and  ijir 
Galahalt  the  haute  prynce  broughte  with  hym  an  honderd 
5  good  knyghtes,  and  the  kynge  with  the  honderd  knyghles 
brought  with  hym  as  many;  and  alle  these  were  proved 
good  knyghtes.  Thenne  cam  in  kyng  Arthurs  party,  and 
there  came  in  the  kynge  of  Scottes  with  an  honderd 
knyghtes,  and  kynge  Uryens  of  Gore  brought  with   hym 

lo  an  honderd  knyghtes,  and  kynge  Howel  of  Bretayne 
brou^//te  with  hym  an  honderd  knyghtes,  and  Chalaunce 
of  Claraunce  broughte  with  hym  an  honderd  knyghtes, 
and  kynge  Arthur  hym  self  came  in  to  the  felde  with  two 
honderd  knyghtes,  and  the  moost  party  were  knyghtes  of 

15  the  Table  Round  that  were  proved  noble  knyghtes;  and 
there  were  old  knyghtes  sette  in  skaffoldes  for  to  juge 
with  the  quene  who  dyd  best. 

Capitulum  jjij.    [niij.] 

Thenne  they  blewe  to  the  felde,  and  there  the  kyng  of 
Northgalys   encountred  with  the  kynge  of   Scottes,  and 

20  there  the  kynge  of  Scottes  had  a  falle,  and  the  kyng  of 
Irland  smote  doune  kynge  Uryens,  and  the  kyng  of 
Northumberland  smote  doune  kynge  Howel  of  Bretayne, 
and  Sir  Galahaut  the  haute  prynce  smote  doune  Chalenge 
of   Claraunce.      And   thenne   kynge   Arthur  was  woode 

25  wroth,  and  ranne  to  the  kynge  with  the  honderd  kny^V/tes, 
and  there  kyng  Arthur  smote  hym  doune ;  and  after  with 
that  same  spere  kynge  Arthur  smote  doune  thre  other 
knyghtes.  And  thenne  whan  his  spere  was  broken  kynge 
Arthur   dyd    passyngly   wel.       And   soo   there    with   alle 

30  came  in  Syr  Qawayne  and  Sir  Gaheryse,  Sire  Agravayne 
and    Sir    Mordred,    and    there    everyche   of    them    smote 


Chap.  XXIII.]     TOURNAMENT  AT  WESTMINSTER.      203 

doune  a  knyghte,  and  Sir  Gawayne  smote  doune  four 
kny^/^tes.  And  thenne  there  beganne  a  stronge  medle, 
for  thenne  there  came  in  the  knyghtes  of  Launcelots 
blood,  and  Sir  Gareth  and  Sire  Palomydes  with  them, 
and  many  knyghtes  of  the  Table  Round,  and  they  5 
beganne  to  holde  the  foure  kynges  and  the  myghty  duke 
soo  hard  that  they  were  discomfyte  ;  but  this  duke  Gala- 
had the  haut  prynce  was  a  noble  knyght,  and  by  his 
myghty  prowesse  of  armes  he  helde  the  knyghtes  of  the 
Table  Round  strayte  ynough.  Alle  this  doynge  sawe  Sir  10 
Launcelot,  and  thenne  he  came  in  to  the  felde  with  Syr 
Lavayne,  as  hit  had  ben  thonder.  And  thenne  anone 
Syre  Bors  and  the  knyghtes  of  his  blood  aspyed  Sir 
Launcelot,  and  said  to  them  alle,  "  I  warne  yow  beware 
of  hym  with  the  sieve  of  gold  upon  his  hede,  for  he  is  15 
hym  self  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake."  And  for  grete  goode- 
nes  Sir  Bors  warned  Syr  Gareth.  "  I  am  wel  apayed," 
said  Sir  Gareth,  "  that  I  may  knowe  hym."  "  But  who  is 
he,"  sayd  they  alle,  "  that  rydeth  with  hym  in  the  same 
aray.!*"  "That  is  the  good  and  gentyl  knyght  Sir  20 
Lavayne,"  said  Sir  Bors.  Soo  Sire  Launcelot  encou/ztred 
with  Sir  Gawayne  ;  and  there  by  force  Syr  Launcelot 
smote  doune  Sir  Gawayne  and  his  hors  to  the  erthe,  and 
soo  he  smote  doune  Sir  Agravayne  and  Sire  Gaherys, 
and  also  he  smote  doune  Sir  Mordred,  and  alle  this  was  25 
with  one  spere. 

Thenne  Sir  Lavayne  mette  with  Sir  Palomydes,  and 
eyther  mette  other  soo  hard  and  so  fyersly  that  bothe 
their  horses  felle  to  the  erthe.  And  thenne  were  they 
horsed  ageyne,  and  thenne  mette  Sir  Launcelot  with  Sir  30 
Palomydes,  and  there  Sire  Palomydes  had  a  falle.  And 
soo  Sir  Launcelot,  or  ever  he  stynte,  as  fast  as  he  myghte 
gete  speres,  he  smote  doun  thyrtty  knyghtes,  and  the 
moost  party  of  them  were  kny^^jV/tes  of  the  Table  Round. 


204  LE  MORTE  DARTIIUR.        [Book  XVIII. 

And  ever  the  knyghtes  of  his  blood  withdrewe  them,  and 
made  hem  adoo  in  other  places  where  Sir  Launcelot 
came  not.  And  thenne  kyng  Arthur  was  wrothe  whan 
he  sawe  Sir  Launcelot  doo  suche  dedes.  And  thenne 
5  the  kynge  called  unto  hym  Sir  Gawayn,  Sir  Mordred,  Sir 
Kay,  Sir  Gryflet,  Sir  Lucan  the  Butteler,  Syre  Pedever, 
Sir  Palomydes,  Sir  Safyr  his  broder ;  and  so  the  kynge 
with  these  nyne  knyghtes  made  hem  redy  to  sette  upon 
Sir  Launcelot  and  upon  Syr  Lavayne.     Alle  this  aspyed 

10  Sir  Bors  and  Sir  Gareth.  "  Now  I  drede  me  sore,"  said 
Sir  Bors,  "  that  my  lord  Syr  Launcelot  wylle  hard  be 
matched."  "By  my  hede,"  sayd  Syr  Gareth,  "I  wylle 
ryde  unto  my  lord  Sir  Launcelot  for  to  helpe  hym,  falle 
of  hym  what  falle  may,  for  he  is  the  same  man  that  made 

15  me  knyghte."  "Ye  shalle  not  soo,"  said  Sir  Bors,  "by 
my  counceylle,  onles  that  ye  were  desguysed."  "  Ye 
shalle  see  me  dysguysed,"  said  Syre  Gareth ;  and  there 
with  al  he  aspyed  a  Walysshe  knyghte  where  he  was  to 
repose  hym,  and  he  was  sore  hurte  afore,  hurte  by  Syr 

20  Gawayne,  and  to  hym  Syre  Gareth  rode,  and  praid  hym 
of  his  knyghthode  to  lene  hym  his  shelde  for  his.  "  I 
wille  wel,"  said  the  Walysshe  knyghte.  And  whanne  Sir 
Gareth  had  his  shelde,  the  book  saith,  it  was  grene,  wyth 
a  mayden  that  semed  in  hit.     Thenne  Syr  Gareth  came 

25  dryvynge  to  Sir  Launcelot  al  that  he  myghte,  and  said, 
"  Knyghte,  kepe  thy  self,  for  yonder  cometh  kyng  Arthur 
with  nyne  noble  kny^/^tes  with  hym  to  putte  yow  to  a 
rebuke,  and  so  I  am  come  to  bere  yow  felaushyp  for 
old  love   ye  have  shewed  me."      "  Gramercy,"  said  Sir 

30  Launcelot.  "  Syr,"  sayd  Sir  Gareth,  "  encountre  ye  with 
Sir  Gawayne,  and  I  shalle  encountre  with  Syre  Palomydes, 
and  lete  Sir  Lavayne  matche  with  the  noble  kynge  Arthur. 
And  whan  we  have  delyverd  hem,  lete  us  thre  hold  us 
sadly  to  gyders." 


Chap.  XXIIL]      THE   TOURNAMENT  CONTINUES.        205 

Thenne   came   kynge  Arthur  with  his   nyne   kny^/^tes 
with     hym,    and     Sir    Launcelot     encountred    with     Sir 
Gawayne,   and  gafe  hym  suche  a  buffet  that  the  arson 
of  his  sadel  brast,  and  Syre  Gawayne  felle  to  the  erthe. 
Thenne    Sir   Gareth  encountred  with  the  good  knyghte     5 
Sir  Palomydes,  and  he  gaf  hym  suche  a  buffet  that  bothe 
his  hors  and  he  dasshed  to  the  erthe.    Thenne  encountred 
kynge  Arth[u]r  with  Sire  Lavayne,  and  there  eyther  of 
hem  smote  other  to  the  erthe,  hors  and  alle,  that  they 
lay  a  grete  whyle.     Thenne  Sir  Launcelot  smote  doune  lo 
Syr  Agravayne,   and   Syre  Gaheryse,   and  Syr  Mordred, 
and  Syr  Gareth  smote  doune  Syr  Kay,  and  Syr  Safyr, 
and  Syr  Gryflet.     And  thenne  Syr  Lavayne  was  horsed 
ageyne,  and  he  smote  doune  Syre  Lucan  the  Butteler  and 
Syr  Bedever,  and  thenne  there  beganne  grete  thrange  of  15 
good  knyghtes.      Thenne   Syre   Launcelot  hurtlyd   here 
and  there,  and  racyd  and  pulled  of  helmes,  soo  that  at 
that  tyme  there  myght  none  sytte  hym  a  buffet  with  spere 
nor  with  suerd.      And  Syr  Gareth  dyd  suche  dedes  of 
armes  that  all  men  merveylled  what  knyghte  he  was  with  20 
the  grene   sheld ;    for   he   smote   doune    that    daye    and 
pulled  doune  moo  than  thyrtty  knyghtes.     And,  as  the 
Frensshe  book  sayth,  Syr  Launcelot  merveylled,  whan  he 
beheld  Syr  Gareth   doo   suche   dedes,  what  knyghte  he 
myghte  be  ;  and  Syr  Lavayne  pulled  doune  and  smote  25 
doune    twenty    knyghtes.       Also    Syr    Launcelot   knewe 
not  Syr  Gareth,  for,  and  Syr  Tristram  de  Lyones  outher 
Syr    Lamorak    de    Galys  had  ben  alyve,   Syr  Launcelot 
wold    have    demed    he   had    ben    one  of    them  tweyne. 
Soo    ever   as    Syr    Launcelot,    Syr   Gareth,    Syr   Lavayn  30 
faughte,    and    on    the    one    syde    Syr    Bors,    Syr    Ector     • 
de    Marys,    Syr    Lyonel,    Syr    Lamorak    de    Galys,    Syr 
Bleoberys,    Syr   Galyhud,    Syr    Galyhodyn,    Syr   Pelleas, 
and    wyth    moo    other    of    kynge    Bans    blood    foughte 


206  //•;    MOR'Jl-:   JKIRTIIUR.         [I'.o.ik   Will. 

upon  another  party,  and  helde  the  kynge  with  the 
honderd  knyghtes,  and  the  kyng  of  Northumberland, 
ryght  strayte. 

Capitulum  jjiiij. 

Soo  this  turnement  and  this  justes  dured  longe,  tyl  hit 
5  was  nere  nyghte,  for  the  knyghtes  of  the  Round  Table 
releved  ever  unto  kynge  Arthur;  for  the  kynge  was 
wrothe  oute  of  mesure  that  he  and  his  knyghtes  myght 
not  prevaile  that  day.  Thenne  Sire  Gawayne  said  to  the 
kynge,  "  I   merveile   where    alle    this    day   Syr   Bors   de 

lo  Ganys  and  his  felaushyp  of  Syre  Launcelots  blood  [be]  ; 
I  merveylle  all  this  day  they  be  not  aboute  yow.  Hit  is 
for  somme  cause,"  sayd  Syr  Gawayne.  "  By  my  hede," 
said  Sire  Kay,  "  Syre  Bors  is  yonder  all  this  day  upon 
the  ryghte  hand  of  this  felde,  and  ther  he  and  his  blood 

15  done  more  worshypfully  than  we  doo."  "  It  may  wel  be," 
sayd  Syr  Gawayne,  ''but  I  drede  me  ever  of  gyle,  for  on 
payne  of  my  lyf,"  said  Sir  Gawayne,  "  this  knyghte  with 
the  reed  sieve  of  gold  is  hym  self  Syr  Launcelot,  I  see 
wel   by  his   rydynge   and   by  his   grete   strokes,  and  the 

20  other  knyghte  in  the  same  colours  is  the  good  yonge 
knyght  Sir  Lavayne.  Also  that  knyghte  with  the  grene 
shelde  is  my  broder  Syr  Gareth,  and  yet  he  hath  des- 
guysed  hym  self,  for  no  man  shalle  never  make  hym  be 
ageynst  Sir  Launcelot,  by  cause  he  made  hym  knyghte." 

25  "By  my  hede,"  said  Arthur,  "  nevewe,  I  byleve  yow; 
therfore  telle  me  now  what  is  youre  best  counceyll." 
"  Sir,"  said  Sir  Gawayne,  "  ye  shalle  have  my  counceylle  ; 
lete  blowe  unto  lodgynge,  for,  and  he  be  Syr  Launcelot 
du  Lake  and  my  broder  Syr  Gareth  with  hym  with  the 

30  helpe  of  that  good  yong  knyghte  Syr  Lavayne,  trust  me 
truly  it  wyll  be  no  bote  to  stryve  with  them,  but  yf  we 


Chap.  XXIV.]     LAUNCELO'rs   TRIUMPH.  207 

shold  falle  ten  or  xij  upon  one  knyghte,  and  that  were  no 
worship  but  shame."  "Ye  saye  trouthe,"  sayd  the  kyng, 
"  and  for  to  saye  sothe,"  said  the  kynge,  "  it  were  shame 
to  us,  soo  many  as  we  be,  to  sette  upon  them  ony  more ; 
for  wete  ye  wel,"  sayd  kyng  Arthur,  "  they  ben  thre  5 
good  knyghtes,  and  namely  that  knyght  with  the  sieve 
of  gold." 

Soo  thenne  they  blewe  unto  lodgyng ;  but  forth  with 
all  kyng  Arthur  lete  sende  unto  the  four  kynges,  and  to 
the  myghty  duke,  and  praid  hem  that  the  knyghte  with  lo 
the  sieve  of  gold  departe  not  fro  them,  but  that  the  kyng 
may  speke  with  hym.  Thenne  fourthe  with  alle  kyng 
Arthur  alighte,  and  unarmed  hym,  and  took  a  litill 
hakney,  and  rode  after  Sire  Launcelot,  for  ever  he  had  a 
spye  upon  hym.  And  soo  he  fonde  hym  amonge  the  15 
four  kynges  and  the  duke,  and  there  the  kyng  prayd  hem 
alle  unto  souper,  and  they  sayd  they  wold  with  good 
wylle.  And  whan  they  were  unarmed,  thenne  kyng 
Arthur  knewe  Sire  Launcelot,  Sir  Lavayne,  and  Sir 
Gareth.  "  A,  Syre  La-ncelot,"  sayd  kynge  Arthur,  "  this  20 
daye  ye  have  heted  me  and  my  knyghtes."  Soo  they 
yede  unto  Arthurs  lodgynge  al  to  gyder,  and  there  was  a 
grete  feest  and  grete  revel,  and  the  pryce  was  gyven  unto 
Syr  Launcelot,  and  by  herowdes  they  named  hym  that  he 
had  smyten  doune  fyfty  knyghtes,  and  Sire  Gareth  fyve  25 
and  thyrtty,  and  Sir  Lavayne  four  and  twenty  knyghtes. 
Thenne  Sir  Launcelot  told  the  kynge  and  the  queue  how 
the  lady  huntresse  shote  hym  in  the  foreste  of  Wynde- 
soore  in  the  buttok  with  a  brood  arowe,  and  how  the 
wound  therof  was  that  tyme  syxe  inches  depe,  and  in  30 
lyke  longe.  Also  Arthur  blamed  Syr  Gareth,  by  cause 
he  lefte  his  felaushyp  and  helde  with  Sir  Launcelot. 
"  My  lord,"  sayd  Sir  Gareth,  "  he  maade  me  a  knyghte, 
and  whanne  I  sawe  hym  soo  hard  bestadde  me  thought 


208  LE  MORTE  D ARTHUR.        [Book  XVIII. 

it  was  my  woishyp  to  helpe  hym,  for  I  sawe  hym  do  soo 
moche,  and  soo  many  noble  knyghtes  ageynst  hym  ;  and 
whan  I  understood  that  he  was  Sir  Launcelot  du  Lake  I 
shamed  to  see  soo  many  knyghtes  ageynst  hym  alone." 
5  "  Truly,"  sayd  kynge  Arthur  unto  Syre  Gareth,  "  ye  saye 
wel,  and  worshypfully  have  ye  done  and  to  your  self  grete 
worshyp,  and  alle  the  dayes  of  my  lyf,"  sayd  kynge 
Arthur  unto  Sir  Gareth,  "  wete  yow  wel  I  shalle  love  yow 
and  truste  yow  the  more  better;  for  ever,"  sayd  Arthur, 

10  "hit  is  a  worshypful  knyghtes  dede  to  helpe  an  other 
worshypful  knyghte  whanne  he  seeth  hym  in  a  grete 
daunger,  for  ever  a  worshipful  man  will  be  lothe  to  see  a 
worshipful  shamed,  and  he  that  is  of  no  worship  and 
fareth  with  cowardyse,  never  shall  he  shewe  gentilnes, 

15  nor  no  maner  of  goodnes,  where  he  seeth  a  man  in  ony 
daunger,  for  thenne  ever  wylle  a  coward  shewe  no  mercy, 
and  alwayes  a  good  man  wille  doo  ever  to  another  man 
as  he  wold  ben  done  to  hym  self."  Soo  thenne  there 
were   grete  feestes   unto   kynges   and  dukes,  and  revel, 

20  game,  and  playe,  and  al  maner  of  noblesse  was  used ; 
and  he  that  was  curtois,  true,  and  feythful  to  his  frende 
was  that  tyme  cherysshed. 

Capitulum  jjv. 

And  thus  it  past  on  from  Candylmas  untyl  after  Ester 
that    the    moneth  of  May  was   come,  whan   every  lusty 

25  herte  begynneth  to  blosomme  and  to  brynge  forth  fruyte ; 
for  lyke  as  herbes  and  trees  bryngen  forth  fruyte  and 
fiorysshen  in  May,  in  lyke  wyse  every  lusty  herte  that  is 
in  ony  maner  a  lover  spryngeth  and  fioryssheth  in  lusty 
dedes.     For  it  gyveth  unto  al  lovers  courage,  that  lusty 

30  moneth  of  May,  in  some  thyng  to  constrayne  hym  to 
some  maner  of  thyng  more  in  that  moneth  than  in  ony 


Chap.  XXV.]        THE    WAYS   OF  LOVERS.  209 

other  moneth  for  dyverse  causes.  For  thenne  alle  herbes 
and  trees  renewen  a  man  and  woman,  and  lyke  wyse 
lovers  callen  ageyne  to  their  mynde  old  gentilnes  and  old 
servyse,  and  many  kynde  dedes  were  forgeten  by  necly- 
gence.  For  lyke  as  wynter  rasure  doth  alway  a  rase  and  5 
deface  grene  somer,  soo  fareth  it  by  unstable  love  in  man 
and  woman.  For  in  many  persons  there  is  no  stabylyte. 
For  we  may  see  al  day,  for  a  lytel  blast  of  wynters  rasure, 
anone  we  shalle  deface  and  lay  a  parte  true  love  for  lytel 
or  noughte,  that  cost  moch  thynge.  This  is  no  wysedome  10 
nor  stabylyte,  but  it  is  feblenes  of  nature  and  grete  dis- 
worshyp  who  somever  used  this.  Therfore,  lyke  as  May 
moneth  floreth  and  floryssheth  in  many  gardyns,  soo  in 
lyke  wyse  lete  every  man  of  worship  florysshe  his  herte 
in  this  world,  fyrst  unto  God  and  next  unto  the  joye  of  15 
them  that  he  promysed  his  feythe  unto,  for  there  was 
never  worshypful  man  or  worshipfull  woman,  but  they 
loved  one  better  than  another ;  and  worshyp  in  armes 
may  never  be  foyled,  but  fyrst  reserve  the  honour  to  God, 
and  secondly  the  quarel  must  come  of  thy  lady;  and  20 
suche  love  I  calle  vertuous  love.  But  now  adayes  men 
can  not  love  seven  ny^//te  but  they  must  have  alle  their 
desyres,  that  love  may  not  endure  by  reason  ;  for  where 
they  ben  soone  accorded  and  hasty  hete,  soone  it  keleth. 
Ryghte  soo  fareth  love  now  a  dayes,  sone  bote,  soone  25 
cold.  This  is  noo  stabylyte,  but  the  old  love  was  not  so. 
Men  and  wymmen  coude  love  to  gyders  seven  yeres,  and 
no  lycours  lustes  were  bitwene  them,  and  thenne  was 
love  trouthe  and  feythfulnes  ;  and  loo  in  lyke  wyse  was 
used  love  in  kynge  Arthurs  dayes.  Wherfor  I  lyken  love  30 
now  adayes  unto  somer  and  wynter,  for  lyke  as  the  one 
is  bote  and  the  other  cold,  so  fareth  love  now  a  dayes. 
Therfore,  alle  ye  that  be  lovers,  calle  unto  your  remem- 
braunce  the  moneth  of  May,  lyke^  as  dyd  quene  Guenever, 


210  LE   MO  RTF.    DARTHCK. 

for  whome  I  make  here  a  lytel  mencyon,  that  whyle  she 
lyved  she  was  a  true  lover,  and  therfor  she  had  a  good 
ende. 

Bsplicit  liber  ©ctobecimus. 


■fcere  folowetb  tbe  rsj  booft. 
Capitulum  primo. 

As  Syr  Mordred  was  rular  of  alle  Englond,  he  dyd  do 
make  letters  as  though  that  they  came  from  beyonde  the 
see,  and  the  letters  specefyed  that  kynge  Arthur  was 
slayn  in  bataylle  wyth  Syr  Launcelot.  Wherfore  Syr 
Mordred  made  a  Parlemente,  and  called  the  lordes  5 
togyder,  and  there  he  made  them  to  chese  hym  kyng, 
and  soo  was  he  crowned  at  Caunterburye,  and  helde  a 
feest  there  xv  dayes ;  and  afterward  he  drewe  hym  unto 
Wynchester,  and  there  he  took  the  quene  Guenever,  and 
sayd  playnly  that  he  wolde  wedde  hyr,  whyche  was  his  lo 
unkyls  wyf  and  his  faders  wyf.  And  soo  he  made  redy 
for  the  feest,  and  a  day  prefyxt  that  they  shold  be 
wedded  ;  wherfore  quene  Gwenever  was  passyng  hevy. 
But  she  durst  not  dyscover  hyr  herte,  but  spake  fayre, 
and  agreyd  to  Syr  Mordredes  wylle.  ^5 

Thenne  she  desyred  of  Syr  Mordred  for  to  goo  to 
London,  to  bye  alle  manere  of  thynges  that  longed  unto 
the  weddyng.  And  by  cause  of  hyr  fayre  speche  Syr 
Mordred  trusted  hyr  wel  ynough,  and  gaf  her  leve  to  goo. 
And  soo  whan  she  came  to  London,  she  took  the  toure  20 
of  London,  and  sodeynlye  in  alle  haste  possyble  she 
stuffed  hyt  wyth  alle  manere  of  vytaylle,  and  wel  gar- 
nysshed  it  with  men,  and  soo  kepte  hyt.  Than  whan 
Syr  Mordred  wyste  and  understode  how  he  was  begyled, 
he  was  passyng  wrothe  oute  of  mesure.  And  a  shorte  25 
tale  for  to  make,  he  wente  and  layed  a  myghty  syege 
aboute    the    toure    of    London,    and    made    many   grete 


212  LE  MORTE   D ARTHUR.  [Book  XXI. 

assaultes  therat.  And  threwe  many  grete  engynes  unto 
theyni,  and  shotte  grcte  gonnes.  But  alle  myght  not 
prevaylle  Syr  Mordred  ;  for  queue  Guenever  wolde  never, 
for  fayre  speche  nor  for  foule,  wold  never  truste  to  come 
5  in  hys  handes  ageyn. 

Thenne  came  the  bysshop  of  Caunterburye,  the  whyche 
was  a  noble  clerke  and  an  holy  man,  and  thus  he  sayd  to 
Syr  Mordred  :  "  Syr,  what  wyl  ye  doo  ?  wyl  ye  fyrst  dys- 
plese  God  and  sythen  shame  your  self  and  al  knyght- 

lo  hode  ?  Is  not  kyng  Arthur  your  uncle,  no  ferther  but 
your  moders  broder,  and  on  hir  hym  self  kyng  Arthur 

(\|  bygate  you  upon  his  own  syster  ?     Therfor  how  may  you 

■  wedde  your  faders  wyf  ?      Syr,"  sayd  the  noble  clerke, 

"  leve  this  oppynyon,  or  I  shall  curse  you  wyth  book,  and 

IS  belle,  and  candell."  "Do  thou  thy  werst,"  said  Syr 
Mordred,  "  wyt  thou  wel  I  shal  defye  the."  "Sir,"  sayd 
the  bysshop,  "  and  wyt  you  wel  I  shal  not  fere  me  to  do 
that  me  ou^//t  to  do.  Also  where  ye  noyse  where  my 
lord  Arthur  is  slayne,  and  that  is  not  so,  and  therfore  ye 

20  wyl  make  a  foule  werke  in  this  londe."  "  Pees,  thou  fals 
preest,"  sayd  Syr  Mordred,  "  for,  and  thou  chaufife  me 
ony  more,  I  shal  make  stryke  of  thy  heed."  So  the 
bysshop  departed,  and  dyd  the  cursyng  in  the  moost 
orgulist    wyse    that    myght    be    doon.       And   than    Syr 

25  Mordred  sought  the  bysshop  of  Caunterburye  for  to  have 
slayne  hym.  Than  the  bysshop  fiedde,  and  toke  parte  of 
his  goodes  with  hym,  and  went  nygh  unto  Glastynburye, 
and  there  he  was  as  preest  eremyte  in  a  chapel,  and 
lyved  in  poverte  and  in  holy  prayers  ;  for  wel  he  under- 

30  stode  that  myschevous  warre  was  at  honde.  Than  Syr 
Mordred  sought  on  quene  Guenever  by  letters  and 
sondes,  and  by  fayr  meanes  and  foul  meanys,  for  to  have 
hir  to  come  oute  of  the  toure  of  London,  but  al  this 
avaylled  not,  for  she   answerd    hym    shortelye,  openlye, 


Chap.  I.]  ARTHUR'S  RETURN.  213 

and  pryvelye,  that  she  had  lever  slee  hyr  self  than  to  be 
maryed  wyth  hym.  Than  came  worde  to  Syr  Mordred 
that  kyng  Arthur  had  araysed  the  syege  for^  Syr  Launce- 
lot,  and  he  was  comyng  homeward  wyth  a  grete  hoost  to 
be  avenged  upon  Syr  Mordred.  Wherfore  Syr  Mordred  5 
maad  wryte  wryttes  to  al  the  barownry  of  thys  londe,  and 
moche  peple  drewe  to  hym ;  for  than  was  the  comyn 
voys  emonge  them  that  wyth  Arthur  was  none  other  lyf 
but  warre  and  stryffe,  and  wyth  Syr  Mordred  was  grete 
joye  and  blysse.  Thus  was  Syr  Arthur  depraved  and  10 
evyl  sayd  of.  And  many  ther  were  that  kyng  Arthur 
had  made  up  of  nought,  and  gyven  them  landes,  myght 
not  than  say  hym  a  good  worde. 

Lo  ye  al  Englissh  men,  see  ye  not  what  a  myschyef 
here  was?  for  he  that  was  the  moost  kyng  and  knyght  15 
of  the  world,   and  moost   loved   the  felyshyp   of   noble 
knyghtes,    and   by   hym   they   were    al    upholden ;    now 
myght  not  this  Englyssh  men  holde  them  contente  wyth 
hym.     Loo  thus  was  the  olde  custome  and  usage  of  this 
londe.     And  also  men  saye  that  we  of  thys  londe  have  20 
not  yet  loste  ne  foryeten  that  custome  and  usage.     Alas ! 
thys  is  a  grete  defaulte  of  us  Englysshe  men  ;  for  there 
may  no  thynge  plese  us  noo  terme.     And  soo  faryd  the 
people  at  that  tyme  ;    they  were  better  plesyd  with  Sir 
Mordred  than  they  were  with  kyng  Arthur,  and  moche  25 
peple  drewe  unto  Sir  Mordred,  and  sayd  they  wold  abyde 
with    hym    for    better    and    for    werse.       And    soo    Syr 
Mordred  drewe  with  a  grete  hoost  to  Dover,  for  there  he 
herd   saye    that    Sir    Arthur   wold    arryve,    and    soo   he 
thoughte  to  bete  his  owne  fader  from  his  landes,  and  the  3° 
moost  party  of  alle  Englond   helde  with  Sire  Mordred, 
the  peple  were  soo  newe  fangle. 

'  I\cad  fro7n  ?    or   read   Gatvayn    in    place    of    I.auucelot?     The 
former  seems  preferable.      See  Notes. 


214  LE  MORTE  DAKTIWR.  [Book  XX I. 


CapituUim  fj. 

And  soo  as  Sire  Mordred  wat^  at  Dover  with  his  host, 
there  came  kyng  Arthur  with  a  grete  navye  of  shyppes 
and  galeyes  and  carryks ;  and  there  was  Syr  Mordred 
redy  awaytynge  upon  his  londage,  to  lette  his  owne  fader 

5  to  la;/de  up  the  lande  that  he  was  kyng  over.  Thenne 
there  was  launcynge  of  grete  botes  and  smal,  and  ful  of 
noble  men  of  armes,  and  there  was  moche  slaughter  of 
gentyl  knyghtes,  and  many  a  full  bolde  baron  was  layd 
ful  lowe  on  bothe  partyes.     But  kynge  Arthur  was  soo 

lo  couragyous  that  there  myght  no  maner  of  knyghtes  lette 
hym  to  lande,  and  his  knyghtes  fyersly  folowed  hym,  and 
so  they  landed  maulgre  Sir  Mordreds  and  alle  his  power, 
and  put  Sir  Mordred  abak,  that  he  fledde  and  alle  his 
peple.     Soo  whan  this  batail  was  done,  kyng  Arthur  lete 

15  burye  his  peple  that  were  dede,  and  thenne  was  noble 
Syr  Gawayne  fonde  in  a  grete  bote  lyenge  more  than 
half  dede. 

Whan  Syr  Arthur  wyst  that  Syre  Gawayne  was  layd  so 
lowe,   he  wente   unto   hym,    and   there   the   kyng   made 

20  sorowe  oute  of  mesure,  and  took  Sire  Gawayne  in  his 
armes,  and  thryes  he  there  swouned.  And  thenne  whan 
he  awaked  he  sayd,  "  Alias  !  Sir  Gawayne,  my  systers 
sone,  here  now  thow  lyggest,  the  man  in  the  world  that 
I  loved  moost,  and  now  is  my  joye  gone ;  for  now,  my 

25  nevewe  Syre  Gawayne,  I  will  discover  me  unto  your 
persone  ;  in  Syr  Launcelot  and  you  I  moost  had  my  joye 
and  myn  affyaunce,  and  now  have  I  lost  my  joye  of  you 
bothe,  wherfor  alle  myn  erthely  joye  is  gone  from  me." 
"  Myn  unkel  kyng  Arthur,"  said  Sir  Gawayn,  "  wete  you 

30  wel,  my  deth  day  is  come,  and  alle  is  thorou  myn  owne 

'  Read  was  ? 


Chap.  II.]       THE  LETTER   TO  LAUNCELOT  215 

hastynes  and  wilfulnes,  for  I  am  smyten  upon  thold 
wounde  the  which  Sir  Launcelot  gaf  me,  on  the  whiche 
I  fele  wel  I  must  dye ;  and  had  Sir  Lauwcelot  ben  with 
you  as  he  was,  this  unhappy  werre  had  never  begonne, 
and  of  alle  this  am  I  causer ;  for  Sir  Lau«celot  and  his  5 
blood  thorou  their  prowes  helde  alle  your  cankeryd 
enemyes  in  subjectyon  and  daungere.  And  now,"  sayd 
Sir  Gawayne,  "  ye  shalle  mysse  Sir  Launcelot.  But 
alias !  I  wold  not  accorde  with  hym,  and  therfor,"  sayd 
Syr  Gawayne,  "  I  praye  yow,  fayre  unkel,  that  I  may  10 
have  paper,  pen,  and  ynke,  that  I  may  wryte  to  Syre 
Launcelot  a  cedle  with  myn  owne  handes."  And  thenne 
whan  paper  and  ynke  was  broughte,  thenne  Gawayn  was 
set  up  weykely  by  kynge  Arthur,  for  he  was  shryven  a  ^ 

lytel  tofore,  and  thenne  he  wrote  thus  as  the  Frensshe  15  ^ 
book  maketh  mencyon  :  "  Unto  Syre  Launcelot,  floure  of 
alle  noble  knyghtes  that  ever  I  herd  of,  or  sawe  by  my 
dayes,  I  Syre  Gawayne,  kynge  Lottes  sone  of  Orkeney, 
syster    sone    unto    the    noble    kyng   Arthur,    sende   the 
gretynge,  and   lete  the  have  knowleche,  that  the  tenth  20 
day  of  May  I  was  smyten  upon  the  old  wound  that  thou 
gavest  me  afore  the  cyte  of   Benwyck,  and  thorow  the 
same  wou«d  that  thou  gavest  me  I  am  come  to  my  dethe 
day.      And  I  wil   that   alle   the   world   wete   that   I    Sir 
Gawayne,    knyghte    of    the    Table    Round,   soughte    my  25 
dethe,  and  net  thorou  thy  deservynge,  but  it  was  myn 
owne  sekynge,  wherfor  I  byseche  the.  Sir  Launcelot,  to 
retorne  ageyne  unto  this  realme,  and  see  my  tombe,  and 
praye  some  prayer  more  or  lesse  for  my  soule.     And  this 
same  day  that  I  wrote  this  sedyl,  I  was  hurte  to  the  dethe  30 
in  the  same  wound,  the  whiche  I  had  of  thy  hand,  Syr 
Launcelot ;  for  a'  of  a  more  nobler  man  myghte  I  not  be 
slayne.     Also,  Sir  Launcelot,  for  alle  the  love  that  ever 

1  Omit  a. 


216  LE  MO  RTF.    D  ARTHUR.  [Book  XXI. 

was  betwyxe  us,  make  no  taryenge,  but  come  over  the 
see  in  al  haste,  that  thow  mayst  with  thy  noble  knyghtes 
rescowe  that  noble  kynge  that  made  the  knyghte,  that  is 
my  lord  Arthur,  for  he  is  ful  streyghtly  bestadde  with  a 
5  fals  traytour,  that  is  my  half  broder  Syr  Mordred,  and  he 
hath  lete  croune  hym  kynge,  and  wold  have  wedded  my 
lady  qucne  Guenever,  and  soo  had  he  done,  had  she  not 
put  her  self  in  the  toure  of  London.  And  soo  the  x  day 
of  May  last  past,  my  lord  Arthur  and  we   alle   landed 

lo  upon  them  at  Dover,  and  there  we  putte  that  fals  traytour 
Syre  Mordred  to  flyghte,  and  there  it  mysfortuned  me  to 
be  stryken  upon  thy  stroke.  And  at  the  date  of  this 
letter  was  wryten  but  two  houres  and  an  half  afore  my 
dethe,  wryten  with  myn  owne  hand,  and  soo  subscrybed 

15  with  parte  of  my  hertes  blood.  And  I  requyre  the, 
moost  famous  knyghte  of  the  world,  that  thou  wylt  see 
my  tombe."  And  thenne  Sir  Gawayne  wept,  and  kynge 
Arthur  wepte,  and  the;/ne  they  swouned  both.  And 
whan  they  awaked  bothe,  the  kynge  made  Syr  Gawayn 

20  to  receyve  his  Saveour.  And  thenne  Sir  Gawayne  praid 
the  kynge  for  to  sende  for  Sir  Launcelot,  and  to  cherysshe 
hym  above  alle  other  knyghtes.  And  so  at  the  houre  of 
none,  Syr  Gawayn  yelded  up  the  spyryte,  and  thenne  the 
kynge  lete  entiere  hym  in  a  chappel  within  Dover  Castel, 

25  and  there  yet  alle  men  maye  see  the  sculle  of  hym,  and 
the  same  wound  is  sene  that  Syr  Launcelot  gaf  hym  in 
bataill.  Thenne  was  it  told  the  kynge  that  Syr  Mordred 
had  pyghte  a  newe  feld  upon  Baramdoune.  And  upon 
the  morne  the  kynge  rode  thyder  to  hym,  and  there  was 

30  a  grete  bataille  betwixe  them,  and  moche  peple  was 
slayne  on  bothe  partyes,  but  at  the  last  Syr  Arthurs 
party  stode  best,  and  Sir  Mordred  and  his  party  fledde 
unto  Cau^/turbery. 


Chap.  III.]  ARTHUR'S  DREAM.  IVJ 


Capitulum  iij. 

And  thenne  the  kyng  lete  serche  all  the  townes  for  his 
knyghtes  that  were  slayne,  and  enteryd  them,  and  salved 
them  with  softe  salves  that  so  sore  were  wounded. 
Thenne  moche  peple  drewe  unto  kynge  Arthur.  And 
thenne  they  sayd  that  Sir  Mordred  warred  upon  kyng  5 
Arthur  with  wronge,  and  thenne  kynge  Arthur  drewe  hym 
with  his  hoost  doune  by  the  see  syde,  westward  toward 
Salysbury,  and  ther  was  a  day  assygned  betwixe  kyng 
Arthur  and  Sire  Mordred  that  they  shold  mete  upon  a 
doune  besyde  Salysbury,  and  not  ferre  from  the  see  syde  ;  lo 
and  this  day  was  assygned  on  a  Monday  after  Trynyte 
Sonday,  wherof  kyng  Arthur  was  passyng  glad  that  he 
myghte  be  avengyd  upon  Sire  Mordred.  Thenne  Syr 
Mordred  areysed  moche  peple  aboute  London,  for  they 
of  Kente,  Southsex,  and  Surrey,  Estsex,  and  of  South-  15 
folke,  and  of  Northfolk,  helde  the  most  party  with  Sir 
Mordred,  and  many  a  ful  noble  knyghte  drewe  unto  Syr 
Mordred  and  to  the  kynge,  but  they  [that]  loved  Sir 
Launcelot  drewe  unto  Syr  Mordred. 

Soo  upon  Trynyte   Sonday  at   nyghte    kynge    Arthur  20 
dremed  a  wonderful  dreme,  and  that  was  this,  that  hym 
semed  he  satte  upon  a  chaflet  in  a  chayer,  and  the  chayer 
was  fast  to  a  whele,  and  therupon  satte  kynge  Arthur  in 
the  rychest  clothe'  of  gold  that  myghte  be  made ;  and  the 
kyng  thoughte   ther  was   under  hym,  fer  from  hym,   an  25 
hydous  depe  blak  water,   and  there  in  were  alle  maner 
of   serpentes   and  wormes    and   wylde   bestes   foule   and 
horryble ;    and   sodenly   the   kynge    thoughte   the   whele 
torned  up  soo  doune,  and  he  felle  amonge  the  serpentys, 
and  every  beest  took  hym  by  a  lymme,  and  thenne  the  30 
kynge  cryed  as  he  lay  in  his  bedde  and  slepte,  "  Helpe !  " 


21S  LE  MORTE  DARTHUR.  [Book  XXI. 

And  thenne  knyghtes,  squyers,  and  yomen  awaked  the 
kynge,  and  thenne  he  was  soo  amased  that  he  wyst  not 
where  he  was. 

And  thenne  he  felle  on  slomberynge  ageyn,  not  slep- 
5  ynge  nor  thorouly  wakynge.  So  the  kynge  semed  veryly 
that  there  came  Syr  Gawayne  unto  hym  with  a  nombre 
of  fayre  ladyes  with  hym.  And  whan  kynge  Arthur  sawe 
hym,  thenne  he  sayd,  "  Welcome,  my  systers  sone,  I 
wende  thou   haddest  ben   dede,  and  now  I  see  the  on 

lo  lyve,  moche  am  I  beholdynge  unto  almyghty  Jhesu.  O 
fayre  nevewe  and  my  systers  sone,  what  ben  these  ladyes 
that  hydder  be  come  with  yow } "  "  Sir,"  said  Sir 
Gawayne,  "  alle  these  ben  ladyes  for  whome  I  have 
foughten  whanne  I  was  man  lyvynge,  and  alle  these  are 

15  tho  that  I  dyd  batail  for  in  ryghteuous  quarel,  and  God 
hath  gyven  hem  that  grace  at  their  grete  prayer,  by  cause 
I  dyd  bataille  for  hem,  that  they  shold  brynge  me  hydder 
unto  yow.  Thus  moche  hath  God  gyven  me  leve  for  to 
warne  yow  of  youre  dethe,  for,  and  ye  fyghte  as  to  morne 

20  with  Syre  Mordred,  as  ye  bothe  have  assygned,  doubte 
ye  not  ye  must  be  slayne,  and  the  moost  party  of  your 
peple  on  bothe  partyes,  and  for  the  grete  grace  and 
goodenes  that  Almyghty  Jhesu  hath  unto  yow,  and  for 
pyte  of  yow  and  many  moo  other  good  men  there  shalle 

25  be  slayne,  God  hath  sente  me  to  yow,  of  his  specyal 
grace,  to  gyve  yow  warnynge,  that  in  no  wyse  ye  doo 
bataille  as  to  morne,  but  that  ye  take  a  treatyce  for  a 
moneth  day,  and  profer  yow  largely,  so  as  to  morne  to 
be  putte  in  a  delaye.     For  within  a  monethe  shalle  come 

30  Syr  Launcelot,  with  alle  his  noble  knyghtes,  and  rescowe 
yow  worshipfully,  and  slee  Sir  Mordred  and  alle  that 
ever  wylle  holde  with  hym." 

Thenne  Syr  Gawayne  and  al  the  ladyes  vaynquysshed.^ 

^  Read  7'anvsshed. 


Chap.  IV.]         ARTHUR    TAKES   COUNSEL.  219 

And  anone  the  kyng  callyd  upon  hys  knyghtes,  squyers, 
and  yemen,  and  charged  them  wyghtly  to  fetche  his  noble 
lordes  and  wyse  bysshoppes  unto  hym.     And  whan  they 
were  come,  the   kyng   tolde   hem  his  avysyon  what  Sir 
Gawayn    had   tolde   hym,  and   warned   hym    that   yf   he    5 
faught  on  the  morne  he  shold  be  slayn.     Than  the  kyng 
comaunded  Syr  Lucan  de  Butlere,  and  his  broder   Syr 
Bedwere,  with  two  bysshoppes  wyth  hem,  and  charged 
theym  in  ony  wyse  and  they  myght  take  a  traytyse  for  a 
monthe  day  wyth  Syr  Mordred.     "  And  spare  not,  proffre  10 
hym  londes  and  goodes,  as  moche  as  ye  thynke  best." 
So  than  they  departed  and  came  to  Syr  Mordred,  where 
he  had  a  grymme  boost  of  an  hondred  thousand  men. 
And  there  they  entreted  Syr  Mordred  longe  tyme,  and  at 
the  laste  Syr  Mordred  was  agreyd  for  to  have  Cornwayl  15 
and  Kente  by  Arthures  dayes ;  after,  alle  Englond  after 
the  dayes  of  kyng  Arthur. 

Capitulum  iiij. 

Than  were  they  condesended  that  kyng  Arthure  and 
Syr  Mordred  shold  mete  betwyxte  bothe  theyr  hoostes, 
and  everyche  of  them  shold  brynge  fourtene  persones ;  20 
and  they  came  wyth  thys  word  unto  Arthure.    Than  sayd 
he,  "  I  am  glad  that  thys  is  done."     And  so  he  wente  in 
to   the   felde.      And   whan    Arthure    shold    departe,    he 
warned    al    hys    boost    that,    and   they  see   ony  swerde 
drawen,  "  Look  ye  come  on  fyersly,  and  slee  that  traytour  25 
Syr  Mordred,  for  I  in  noo  wyse  truste  hym."     In  lyke 
wyse  Syr  Mordred  warned  his  boost  that,  "  And  ye  see 
ony  swerde  drawen,  look  that  ye  come  on  fyersly,  and 
soo   slee   alle   that  ever  before  you  stondeth,  for  in  no 
wyse  I  wyl  not  truste  for  thys  treatyse ;  for  I  knowe  wel  30 
my  fader  wyl  be  avenged  on  me."      And  soo  they  mette 


220  LE   MORTE   DARTHUK.  [TiooK  XXI. 

as  theyr  poyntemente  was,  and  so  they  were  agreyd  and 
accorded  thorouly ;  and  wyn  was  fette  and  they  dranke. 
Ryght  soo  came  an  adder  oute  of  a  lytel  hethe  busshe, 
and  hyt  stonge  a  knyght  on  the  foot;  and  whan  the 
5  knyght  fehe  hym  stongen,  he  looked  doun  and  sawe  the 
adder,  and  than  he  drewe  his  swerde  to  slee  the  adder, 
and  thouiiht  of  none  other  harme.  And  whan  the  hoost 
on  bothe  partyes  saw  that  swerde  drawen,  than  they 
blewe    beamous,   tnunpettes,   and   homes,    and    shouted 

lo  grymly.  And  so  bothe  hoostes  dressyd  hem  to  gyders. 
And  kyng  Arthur  took  his  hors  and  sayd,  "  Alias !  thys 
unhappy  day,"  and  so  rode  to  his  partye ;  and  Syr 
Mordred  in  like  wyse.  And  never  was  there  seen  a  more 
doolfuUer  bataylle  in  no  Crysten  londe  ;  for  there  was  but 

15  russhyng  and  rydyng,  fewnyng  and  strykyng,  and  many  a 
grymme  worde  was  there  spoken  eyder  to  other,  and 
many  a  dedely  stroke.  But  ever  kyng  Arthur  rode 
thorugh  oute  the  bataylle  of  Syr  Mordred  many  tymes, 
and  dyd  ful  nobly  as  a  noble  kyng  shold,  and  at  al  tymes 

20  he  faynted  never,  and  Syr  Mordred  that  day  put  hym  in 
devoyr  and  in  grete  perylle. 

And  thus  they  faughte  alle  the  longe  day,  and  never 
stynted  tyl  the  noble  knyghtes  were  layed  to  the  colde 
erthe ;  and  ever  they  faught  stylle  tyl  it  was  nere  nyghte, 

25  and  by  that  tyme  was  there  an  hondred  thousand  layed 
deed  upon  the  down.  Thenne  was  Arthure  wode  wrothe 
oute  of  mesure,  whan  he  sawe  his  peple  so  slayn  from 
hym.  Thenne  the  kyng  loked  aboute  hym,  and  thenne 
was  he  ware,  of  al  hys  hoost  and  of  al  his  good  knyghtes 

30  were  lefte  no  moo  on  lyve  but  two  knyghtes,  that  one 
was  Syr  Lucan  de  Butlere,  and  his  broder  Syr  Bedwere  ; 
and  they  were  ful  sore  wounded.  "  Jhesu,  mercy,"  sayd 
the  kyng,  "  where  are  al  my  noble  knyghtes  becomen  ? 
Alas  !  that  ever  I  shold  see  thys  dolefull  day,  for  now," 


Chap.  IV.]  THE  LAST  BATTLE.  221 

sayd  Arthur,  "  I  am  come  to  myn  ende.  But  wolde  to 
God  that  I  wyste  where  were  that  traytour  Syr  Mordred 
that  hath  caused  alle  thys  meschyef."  Thenne  was  kyng 
Arthure  ware  where  Syr  Mordred  lenyd  upon  his  swerde 
emonge  a  grete  hepe  of  deed  men.  "  Now  gyve  me  my  5 
spere,"  sayd  Arthur  unto  Syr  Lucan,  "for  yonder  I  have 
espyed  the  traytour  that  alle  thys  woo  hath  wrought." 
"  Syr,  late  hym  be,"  sayd  Syr  Lucan,  "  for  he  is  unhappy; 
and  yf  ye  passe  thys  unhappy  day,  ye  shalle  be  ryght  wel 
revengyd  upon  hym.  Good  lord,  remembre  ye  of  your  10 
nyghtes  dreme,  and  what  the  spyryte  of  Syr  Gauwayn 
tolde  you  this  nyght,  yet  God  of  his  grete  goodnes  hath 
preserved  you  hyderto ;  therfore  for  Goddes  sake,  my 
lord,  leve  of  by  thys,  for  blessyd  by  God  ye  have  wonne 
the  felde ;  for  here  we  ben  thre  on  lyve,  and  wyth  Syr  15 
Mordred  is  none  on  lyve.  And  yf  ye  leve  of  now,  thys 
wycked  day  of  desteynye  is  paste."  "  Tyde  me  deth, 
betyde  me  lyf,"  sayth  the  kyng,  "  now  I  see  hym  yonder 
allone,  he  shal  never  escape  myn  handes ;  for  at  a  better 
avaylle  shal  I  never  have  hym."  "  God  spede  you  wel,"  20 
sayd  Syr  Bedwere.  Thenne  the  kyng  gate  hys  spere  in 
bothe  his  handes,  and  ranne  toward  Syr  Mordred  cryeng, 
"  Tratour,  now  is  thy  deth  day  come."  And  whan  Syr 
Mordred  herde  Syr  Arthur  he  ranne  untyl  hym  with  his 
swerde  drawen  in  his  hande.  And  there  kyng  Arthur  25 
smote  Syr  Mordred  under  the  shelde  wyth  a  foyne  of  his 
spere  thorughoute  the  body  more  than  a  fadom.  And 
whan  Syr  Mordred  felte  that  he  had  hys  dethes  wounde, 
he  thryst  hym  self  wyth  the  myght  that  he  had  up  to  the 
bur  of  kynge  Arthurs  spere.  And  right  so  he  smote  his  30 
fader  Arthur  wyth  his  swerde  holden  in  bothe  his  handes, 
on  the  syde  of  the  heed,  that  the  swerde  persyd  the 
helmet  and  the  brayne  panne,  and  therwythall  Syr 
Mordred  fyl  starke  deed  to  the  erthe.     And  the  nobyl 


222  LE   MORTE   D ARTHUR.  [Book  XXI. 

Arthur  fyl  in  a  swoune  to  the  erthe,  and  there  he 
swouned  ofte  tymes.  And  Syr  Lucan  de  Butlere  and 
Syr  Bedwere  oftymes  heve  hym  up ;  and  soo  waykely 
they  ledde  hym  betwyxte  them  bothe  to  a  lytel  chapel 
5  not  ferre  from  the  see  syde.  And  whan  the  kyng  was 
there,  he  thought  hym  wel  eased. 

Thenne  herde  they  people  crye  in  the  felde.  "  Now 
goo  thou,  Syr  Lucan,"  sayd  the  kyng,  "'  and  do  me  to 
wyte  what  bytokenes  that  noyse  in  the  felde."     So  Syr 

10  Lucan  departed,  for  he  was  grevously  wounded  in  many 
places.  And  so  as  he  yede,  he  sawe  and  herkened  by 
the  mone  lyght,  how  that  pyllars  and  robbers  were  comen 
in  to  the  felde  to  pylle  and  robbe  many  a  ful  noble 
knyghte  of  brochys  and  bedys,  of  many  a  good  rynge, 

15  and  of  many  a  ryche  jewel ;  and  who  that  were  not  deed 
al  oute,  there  they  slewe  theym  for  theyr  barneys  and 
theyr  rychesse.  Whan  Syr  Lucan  understode  thys  werke, 
he  came  to  the  kyng  assone  as  he  myght,  and  tolde  hym 
al  what  he  had  hqrde  and  seen.    "  Therfore,  be  my  rede," 

20  sayd  Syr  Lucan,  "  it  is  beste  that  we  brynge  you  to 
somme  towne."     "  I  wolde  it  were  soo,"  sayd  the  kyng. 

(lapitulum  \>. 

"  But  I  may  not  stonde,  myn  hede  werches  soo.  A, 
Syr  Launcelot,"  sayd  kyng  Arthur,  "  thys  day  have  I  sore 
myst  the.      Alas  !    that  ever  I  was  ayenst  the,  for  now 

25  have  I  my  dethe,  wherof  Syr  Gauwayn  me  warned  in  my 
dreme."  Than  Syr  Lucan  took  up  the  kyng  the  one 
parte,  and  Syr  Bedwere  the  other  parte,  and  in  the 
lyftyng  the  kyng  sowned,  and  Syr  Lucan  fyl  in  a  sowne 
wyth  the  lyfte,  that  the  parte  of  his  guttes  fyl  oute  of  his 

30  bodye.  And  therwyth  the  noble  knyghtes  herte  braste. 
And  whan  the  kyng  awake,  he  behelde  Syr  Lucan  how 


Chap.  V.]       ^/A>  BEDIVKKE  AND  EXCALIBUR.  Ill 

he  laye  foomyng  at  the  mowth,  and  parte  of  his  guttes 
laye  at  his  feet.  "  Alas  !  "  sayd  the  kyng,  "  thys  is  to  me 
a  ful  hevy  syght  to  see  thys  noble  duke  so  deye  for  my 
sake,  for  he  wold  have  holpen  me  that  had  more  nede  of 
helpe  than  I.  Alas  !  he  wold  not  complayne  hym,  hys  5 
herte  was  so  sette  to  helpe  me.  Now  Jhesu  have  mercy 
upon  hys  soule."  Than  Syr  Bedwere  wepte  for  the  deth 
of  his  brother.  "  Leve  thys  mornyng  and  wepyng,"  sayd 
the  kyng,  "  for  al  this  wyl  not  avaylle  me ;  for  wyte  thou 
wel,  and  I  myght  lyve  my  self,  the  deth  of  Syr  Lucan  10 
wolde  greve  me  ever  more,  but  my  tyme  hyeth  fast,"  sayd 
the  kyng.  "  Therfore,"  sayd  Arthur  unto  Syr  Bedwere, 
"  take  thou  Excalybur,  my  good  swerde,  and  goo  with  it 
to  yonder  water  syde,  and  whan  thou  comest  there,  I 
charge  the  throwe  my  swerde  in  that  water,  and  come  15 
ageyn  and  telle  me  what  thou  there  seest."  "  My  lord," 
sa[y]d  Bedwere,  "  your  commaundement  shal  be  doon, 
and  lyghtly  brynge  you  worde  ageyn." 

So  Syr  Bedwere  departed,  and  by  the  waye  he  behelde 
that  noble  swerde,  that  the  pomel  and  the  hafte  was  al  20 
of  precyous  stones ;  and  thenne  he  sayd  to  hym  self,  "  Yf 
I  throwe  this  ryche  swerde  in  the  water,  therof  shal 
never  come  good,  but  harme  and  losse."  And  thenne 
Syr  Bedwere  hydde  Excalybur  under  a  tree.  And  so  as 
sone  as  he  myght  he  came  ageyn  unto  the  kyng,  and  25 
sayd  he  had  ben  at  the  water,  and  had  throwen  the 
swerde  in  to  the  water.  "  What  sawe  thou  there  ?  "  sayd 
the  kyng.  "  Syr,"  he  sayd,  "  I  sawe  no  thynge  but  wawes 
and  wyndes."  "  That  is  untrewly  sayd  of  the,"  sayd  the 
kynge.  "  Therfore  goo  thou  lyghtelye  ageyn,  and  do  my  30 
commaundemente ;  as  thou  arte  to  me  leef  and  dere, 
spare  not  but  throwe  it  in."  Than  Syr  Bedwere  retorned 
ageyn,  and  took  the  swerde  in  hys  hande,  and  than  hym 
thought  synne  and  shame  to  throwe   awaye    that    nobyl 


224  LK   MORTE   D ARTHUR.  [Book  XXI. 

swerde ;  and  so  efte  he  hydde  the  swerde,  and  retorned 
ageyn  and  tolde  to  the  kyiig  that  he  had  ben  at  the 
water,  and  done  his  commaundeniente.  "  What  sawe 
thou  there?"  sayd  the  kyng.  "Syr,"  he  sayd,  "I  sawe 
5  no  thynge  but  the  waters  wappe  and  wawes  wanne."  "  A, 
traytour,  untrewe,"  sayd  kyng  Arthur,  "  now  hast  thou 
betrayed  me  twyse.  Who  wold  have  wente  that  thou 
that  hast  been  to  me  so  leef  and  dere,  and  thou  arte 
named  a  noble  knyghte,  and  wold  betraye  me  for  the 

10  richesse  of  the  swerde  ?  But  now  goo  ageyn  lyghtly,  for 
thy  longe  taryeng  putteth  me  in  grete  jeopardye  of  my 
lyf,  for  I  have  taken  colde ;  and  but  yf  thou  do  now  as  I 
byd  the,  yf  ever  I  may  see  the  I  shal  slee  the  [with]  myn 
owne  handes,  for  thou  woldest  for  my  ryche  swerde  see 

15  me  dede."  Thenne  Syr  Bedwere  departed,  and  wente  to 
the  swerde,  and  lyghtly  took  hit  up,  and  wente  to  the 
water  syde,  and  there  he  bounde  the  gyrdyl  aboute  the 
hyltes,  and  thenne  he  threwe  the  swerde  as  farre  in  to 
the  water  as  he  myght.     And  there  cam  an  arme  and  an 

20  hande  above  the  water  and  mette  it,  and  caught  it,  and 
so  shoke  it  thryse  and  braundysshed  ;  and  than  vanysshed 
awaye  the  hande  wyth  the  swerde  in  the  water.  So  Syr 
Bedwere  came  ageyn  to  the  kyng  and  tolde  hym  what 
he  sawe. 

25  "Alas!"  sayd  the  kyng,  " helpe  me  hens,  for  I  drede 
me  I  have  taryed  over  longe."  Than  Syr  Bedwere  toke 
the  kyng  upon  his  backe,  and  so  wente  wyth  hym  to  that 
water  syde,  and  whan  they  were  at  the  water  syde,  evyn 
fast  by  the  banke  hoved  a  lytyl  bar*e  wyth  many  fayr 

30  ladyes  in  hit,  and  emonge  hem  al  was  a  quene,  and  al 
they  had  blacke  hoodes,  and  al  they  wepte  and  shryked 
whan  they  sawe  kyng  Arthur.  "  Now  put  me  in  to  the 
barge,"  sayd  the  kyng;  and  so  he  dyd  softelye.  And 
there  receyved  hym  thre  quenes  wyth  grete  mornyng,  and 


Chap.  VI.]  THE   PASSING    OF  ARTHUR.  Ill 

soo  they  sette  hem  doun,  and  in  one  of  their  lappes  kyng 
Arthur  layed  hys  heed,  and  than  that  quene  sayd,  "  A, 
dere  broder,  why  have  ye  taryed  so  longe  from  me  ? 
Alas  !  this  wounde  on  your  heed  hath  caught  overmoche 
colde."  And  soo  than  they  rowed  from  the  londe,  and  5 
Syr  Bedwere  behelde  all  tho  ladyes  goo  from  hym.  Than 
Syr  Bedwere  cryed,  "  A,  my  lord  Arthur,  what  shal 
become  of  me,  now  ye  goo  from  me  and  leve  me  here 
allone  emonge  myn  enemyes  1  "  "  Comfort  thy  self," 
sayd  the  kyng,  "  and  doo  as  wel  as  thou  niayst,  for  in  me  lo 
is  no  truste  for  to  truste  in.  For  I  wyl  in  to  the  vale  of 
Avylyon,  to  hele  me  of  my  grevous  wounde.  And  yf 
thou  here  never  more  of  me,  praye  for  my  soule."  But 
ever  the  quenes  and  ladyes  wepte  and  shryched,  that  hit 
was  pyte  to  here.  And  assone  as  Syr  Bedwere  had  loste  15 
the  syght  of  the  baarge,  he  wepte  and  waylled,  and  so 
took  the  foreste ;  and  so  he  wente  al  that  nyght,  and  in 
the  mornyng  he  was  ware  betwyxte  two  holtes  hore  af  ^  a 
chapel  and  an  ermytage. 

Capitulum  v>j. 

Than  was  Syr  Bedwere  glad,  and  thyder  he  wente ;  20 
and  whan  he  came  in  to  the  chapel,  he  sawe  where  laye 
an  heremyte  grovelyng  on  al  foure,  there  fast  by  a  tombe 
was  newe  graven.    Whan  the  eremyte  sawe  Syr  Bedwere, 
he  knewe  hym  wel,  for  he  was  but  lytel  tofore  bysshop  of 
Caunterburye  that   Syr   Mordred   flemed.      "  Syr,"  sayd  25 
Syr  Bedwere,  "  what  man  is  there  entred  that  ye  praye 
so  fast  fore  ?  "    "  Fayr  sone,"  sayd  the  heremyte,  "  I  wote 
not  verayly  but  by  my  demyyng.^      But  thys  nyght,   at 
mydnyght,  here  came  a  nombre  of  ladyes  and  broughte 
hyder  a  deed  cors,   and  prayed  me  to  berye  hym,   and  3° 
1  Read  of.  -2  Read  dentyng. 


226  LE   MORTK   J>ARTHUR.  [Book  XXI. 

here  they  offeryd  an  hondred  tapers,  and  tliey  gaf  me  an 
hondred  besauntes."  "  Alas,"  sayd  Syr  Bedwere,  "  that 
was  my  lord  kyng  Arthur  that  here  lyeth  buryed  in  thys 
chapel."  Than  Syr  Bed  were  swowned,  and  whan  he 
5  awoke  he  prayed  the  heremyte  he  myght  abyde  wyth  hym 
stylle  there,  to  lyve  wyth  fastyng  and  prayers:  "  For  from 
hens  wyl  I  never  goo,"  sayd  Syr  Bedwere,  "  by  my  wylle, 
but  al  the  dayes  of  my  lyf  here  to  praye  for  my  lord 
Arthur."     "  Ye  are  welcome  to  me,"  sayd  the  heremyte, 

lo  "  for  I  knowe  you  better  than  ye  wene  that  I  doo.  Ye 
are  the  bolde  Bedwere,  and  the  ful  noble  duke  Syr  Lucan 
de  Butlere  was  your  broder."  Thenne  Syr  Bedwere 
tolde  the  heremyte  alle  as  ye  have  herde  to  fore.  So 
there  bode  Syr  Bedwere  with  the  hermyte  that  was  tofore 

15  bysshop  of  Caunterburye,  and  there  Syr  Bedwere  put 
upon  hym  poure  clothes,  and  servyd  the  hermyte  ful 
lowly  in  fastyng  and  in   prayers. 

Thus  of  Arthur  1  fynde  never  more  wryton  in  boookes  ^ 
that  ben  auctorysed,  nor  more  of  the  veray  certente  of 

20  his  deth  herde  I  never  redde,  but  thus  was  he  ledde 
aweye  in  a  shyppe  wherin  were  thre  quenes  :  that  one 
was  kyng  Arthurs  syster  quene  Morgan  le  Fay,  the  other 
was  the  quene  of  North  Galys,  the  thyrd  was  the  quene 
of  the  Waste  Londes.     Also  there  was  Nynyve  the  chyef 

25  Lady  of  the  Lake,  that  had  wedded  Pelleas  the  good 
knyght,  and  this  lady  had  doon  moche  for  kyng  Arthur, 
for  she  wold  never  suffre  Syr  Pelleas  to  be  in  noo  place 
where  he  shold  be  in  daunger  of  his  lyf,  and  so  he  lyved 
to  the  uttermest  of  his  dayes  wyth  hyr  in   grete   reste. 

30  More  of  the  deth  of  kyng  Arthur  coude  I  never  fynde, 
but  that  ladyes  brought  hym  to  his  buryellys,  and  suche 
one  was  buryed  there  that  the  hermyte  bare  wytnesse, 
that  somtyme  was  bysshop  of  Caunterburye,  but  yet  the 

1  Sic. 


Chap.  VII.]      THE  QUEEN  BECOMES  A  NUN.  ZZl 

heremyte  knewe  not  in  certayn  that  he  was  verayly  the 
body  of  kyng  Arthur,  for  thys  tale  Syr  Bedwer,  knyght 
of  the  Table  Rounde,  made  it  to  be  wryton. 

Capitulum  vij. 

Yet  somme  men  say  in  many  partyes  of  Englond  that 
kyng  Arthur  is  not  deed,  but  had  by  the  wylle  of  our    5 
Lord  Jhesu  in  to  another  place  ;  and  men  say  that  he 
shal  come  ageyn,  and  he  shal  wynne  the  holy  crosse.     I 
wyl  not  say  that  it  shal  be  so,  but  rather  I  wyl  say  here 
in  thys  world  he  chaunged  his  lyf.     But  many  men  say 
that  there   is   wryton   upon  his  tombe  this  vers  :    "  Hie  10 
iacet  Arthurus  Rex  quondam  Rex  que  futurus."     Thus 
leve  I  here  Syr  Bedwere  with  the  hermyte,  that  dwellyd 
that  tyme  in  a  chapel    besyde  Glastynburye,  and  there 
was  his  ermytage,  and  they  lyvyd  in  theyr  prayers  and 
fastynges    and    grete    abstynence.       And   whan    quene  15 
Guenever  understood  that  kyng  Arthur  was  slayn,  and  al 
the  noble  kny^/;tes,  Syr  Mordred  and  al  the  remenaunte, 
than  the  quene  stale  aweye  and  v  ladyes  wyth  hyr,  and 
soo  she  wente  to  Almesburye,  and  there  she  let  make  hir 
self  a  nonne,  and  ware  whyte  clothes  and  blacke,  and  20 
grete  penaunce  she  toke  as  ever  dyd  synful  lady  in  thys 
londe ;    and   never   creature'  coude  make  hyr  mery,  but 
lyved  in  fastyng,  prayers,  and  almes  dedes,  that  al  maner 
of  peple  mervaylled  how  vertuously  she  was  chaunged. 
Now  leve  we  quene  Guenever  in  Almesburye,  a  nonne  in  25 
whyte  clothes  and  blacke,  and  there  she  was  abbesse  and 
rular,  as  reason  wolde  ;  and  tome  we  from  hyr,  and  speke 
we  of  Syr  Launcelot  du  Lake. 


228  LE  MORTE  D ARTHUR.  [Book  XXI. 

Capitulum  viij. 

And  whan  he  herdc  in  his  contreye  that  Syr  Mordred 
was  crowned  kyng  in  Englond,  and  maad  warre  ayenst 
kyng  Arthur  his  owne  fader,  and  wolde  lette  hym  to 
lande  in  hys  owne  londe  ;  also  it  was  tolde  Syr  Launcelot 
5  how  that  Syr  Mordred  had  layed  syege  aboute  the  toure 
of  London  by  cause  the  queue  wold  not  wedde  hym  ; 
than  was  Syr  Launcelot  wroth  oute  of  mesure,  and  sayd 
to  his  kynnesmen,  "  Alas !  that  double  traytour  Syr 
Mordred,  now  me  repenteth  that   ever  he   escaped  my 

10  handes,  for  moche  shame  hath  he  done  unto  my  lord 
Arthur :  for  alle  I  fele  by  the  doleful  letter  that  my  lord 
Syr  Gauwayn  sente  me,  on  whos  soule  Yaesw  have  mercy, 
that  my  lord  Arthur  is  ful  harde  bestadde.  Alas  !  "  sayd 
Syr  Launcelot,  "  that  ever  I  shold  lyve  to  here  that  moost 

15  noble  kyng  that  maad  me  knyght  thus  to  be  oversette 
wyth  his  subjecte  in  his  owne  royame.  And  this  doleful 
letter  that  my  lord  Syr  Gauwayn  hath  sente  me  afore  his 
deth,  prayeng  me  to  see  his  tombe,  wyt  you  wel  his  dole- 
ful wordes  shal  never  goo  from  myn  herte.     For  he  was 

20  a  ful  noble  knyght  as  ever  was  borne,  and  in  an  unhappy 
houre  was  I  borne,  that  ever  I  shold  have  that  unhappe 
to  slee  fyrst  Syr  Gauwayn,  Syr  Gaheris  the  good  knyght, 
and  myn  owne  frende  Syr  Gareth,  that  ful  noble  knyght. 
Alas!    I   may  say  I   am  unhappy,"   sayd  Syr  Launcelot, 

25  "  that  ever  I  shold  do  thus  unhappely.  And  alas  !  yet 
myght  I  never  have  happe  to  slee  that  traytour  Syr 
Mordred."  "  Leve  your  complayntes,"  sayd  Syr  Bors, 
"  and  fyrst  revenge  you  of  the  deth  of  Syr  Gauwayn,  and 
hit  wyl  be  wel  done  that  ye  see  Syr  Gauwayns  tombe ; 

30  and,  secondly,  that  ye  revenge  my  lord  Arthur  and  my 
lady  quene  Guenever."  "  I  thanke  you,"  sayd  Syr 
Launcelot,  "  for  ever  ye  wyl  my  worshyp." 


Chap.  VIII.]    LAUNCELOT RETURNS  TO  ENGLAND.   229 

Than  they  made  them  redy  in  al  the  haste  that  va^ght 
be,  with  shyppes  and  galeyes,  wyth  Syr  Launcelot  and 
his  hoost  to  passe  in  to  Englond.  And  so  he  passyd 
over  the  see  tyl  he  came  to  Dover,  and  there  he  landed 
wyth  seven  kynges,  and  the  nombre  was  hydous  to  5 
beholde.  Than  Syr  Launcelot  spyrred  of  men  of  Dover 
>vhere  was  kyng  Arthur  become.  Than  the  peple  tolde 
hym  how  that  he  was  slayn ;  and  Syr  Mordred  and  an  C 
thousand  deyed  on  a  day,  and  how  Sir  Mordred  gaf  kyng 
Arthur  there  the  fyrste  bataylle  at  his  landyng,  and  there  10 
was  good  Syr  Gawayn  slayn,  and  on  the  morne  Syr 
Mordred  faught  with  the  kyng  upon  Baram  Doun,  and 
there  the  kyng  put  Syr  Mordred  to  the  wers.  "  Alas," 
said  Syr  Launcelot,  "  this  is  the  hevyest  tydynges  that 
ever  cam  to  me.  Now,  fayr  syrs,"  sayd  Syr  Launcelot,  15 
"  shewe  me  the  tombe  of  Syr  Gawayn."  And  than 
certeyn  peple  of  the  towne  brou^//t  hym  in  to  the  castel 
of  Dover,  and  shewed  hym  the  tombe.  Than  Syr 
Launcelot  knelyd  doun  and  wepte,  and  prayeed  hertelye 
for  his  soule.  And  that  nyght  he  made  a  dole,  and  al  20 
they  that  wold  come  had  as  moche  flesshe,  fysshe,  wyn, 
and  aale,  and  every  man  and  woman  had  xij  pens,  come 
who  wold.  Thus  with  his  owne  hande  dalte  he  this 
money  in  a  moornyng  gowne,  and  ever  he  wepte,  and 
prayed  hem  to  praye  for  the  sowle  of  Syr  Gawayn.  And  25 
an  the  morne  al  the  preestys  and  clerkys  that  myght  be 
goten  in  the  contreye  were  there,  and  sange  masse  of 
requyem.  And  there  offeryd  fyrst  Syr  Launcelot,  and  he 
offred  an  C  pounde,  and  than  the  seven  kynges  offeryd 
fourty  pounde  a  pees,  and  also  there  was  a  M  knyghtes,  30 
and  eche  of  hem  offred  a  pounde,  and  the  offeryng  dured 
fro  morne  tyl  nyght.  And  Syr  Launcelot  laye  two 
nyghtes  on  his  tombe  in  prayers  and  wepyng.  Than  on 
the  thyrd  day  Syr  Launcelot  callyd  the  kynges,  dukes, 


230  LE  MOKTE   D ARTHUR.  [Book  XXI. 

erles,  barons,  and  knyghtes,  and  sayd  thus  :  "  My  fayr 
lordes,  I  tha;/ke  you  al  of  your  comyng  in  to  this  contreye 
with  me,  but  we  came  to  late,  and  that  shal  repente  me 
whyle  I  lyve,  but  ayenst  deth  may  no  man  rebelle.  But 
5  sythen  it  is  so,"  said  Sir  Launcelot,  "  I  wyl  my  self  ryde 
and  seke  my  lady  quene  Guenever ;  for  as  I  here  say,  she 
hath  had  grete  payne  and  moche  dysease,  and  I  herd  say. 
that  she  is  fiedde  in  to  the  weste ;  therfore  ye  alle  shal 
abyde  me  here,  and  but  yf  I  come  ageyn  wythin  xv  dayes, 
lo  than  take  your  shyppes  and  your  felawshyp,  and  departe 
in  to  your  contraye,  for  I  wyl  do  as  I  say  to  you." 

Capitulum  ij. 

Than  came  Syr  Bors  de  Ganys  and  sayd,  "  My  lord 
Syr  Launcelot,  what  thynke  ye  for  to  doo,  now  to  ryde 
in  this  royame  ?  wyt  you  wel,  ye  shal  fynde  fewe  frendes." 

15  "Be  as  be  may,"  sayd  Syr  Launcelot,  "  kepe  you  stylle 
here,  for  I  wyl  forth  on  my  journey;  and  noo  man  nor 
chylde  shall  goo  with  me."  So  it  was  no  bote  to  stryve, 
but  he  departed  and  rode  westerly,  and  there  he  sought 
a  vij  or  viij  dayes,  and  atte  last  he  cam  to  a  nonnerye, 

20  and  than  was  quene  Guenever  ware  of  Sir  Launcelot  as 
he  walked  in  the  cloystre,  and  whan  she  sawe  hym  there, 
she  swouned  thryse,  that  al  the  ladyes  and  jentyl 
wymmen  had  werke  ynough  to  holde  the  quene  up.  So 
whan    she    my^//t    speke    she    callyd   ladyes    and   jentyl 

25  wymmen  to  hir  and  sayd,  "  Ye  mervayl,  fayr  ladyes,  why 
I  make  this  fare.  Truly,"  she  said,  "  it  is  for  the  syght 
of  yonder  knyght  that  yender  standeth.  Wherfore  I 
praye  you  al  calle  hym  to  me."  Whan  Syr  Launcelot 
was    brought    to  hyr,   than   she   sayd  to   al   the   ladyes, 

30  "  Thorowe  this  man  and  me  hath  al  this  warre  be 
wrought,  and   the   deth   of  the   moost  noblest  knygh*es 


Chap.  IX.]     LAUNCELOT  VISITS  THE  QUEEN.  231 

of  the  world,  for  thorugh  our  love  that  we  have  loved 
to  gyder  is  my  moost  noble  lord  slayn.  Therfor,  Syr 
Launcelot,  wyt  thou  wel  I  am  sette  in  suche  a  plyte  to 
gete  my  soule  hele,  and  yet  I  truste  thorugh  Goddes 
grace  that  after  my  deth  to  have  a  syght  of  the  blessyd  s 
face  of  Cryst,  and  at  domes  day  to  sytte  on  his  ryght 
syde,  for  as  synful  as  ever  I  was  are  sayntes  in  heven. 
Therfore,  Syr  Launcelot,  I  requyre  the  and  beseche  the 
hertelye  for  al  the  love  that  ever  was  betwyxte  us,  that 
thou  never  see  me  more  in  the  vysage ;  and  I  comande  lo 
the  on  Goddes  behalfe,  that  thou  forsake  my  companye, 
and  to  thy  kyngdom  thou  torne  ageyn,  and  kepe  wel  thy 
royame  from  warre  and  wrake ;  for  as  wel  as  I  have  loved 
the,  myn  hert  wyl  not  serve  me  to  see  the ;  for  thorugh 
the  and  me  is  the  flour  of  kynges  and  knyghtes  destroyed.  15 
Therfor,  Sir  Launcelot,  goo  to  thy  royame  and  there  take 
the  a  wyf,  and  lyve  with  hir  with  joye  and  blysse,  and  I 
praye  the  hertelye,  praye  for  me  to  our  Lord  that  I  may 
amende  my  myslyvyng."  "  Now,  swete  madam,"  sayd 
Syr  Launcelot,  "  wold  ye  that  I  shold  torne  ageyn  unto  20 
my  cuntreye,  and  there  to  wedde  a  lady  ?  Nay,  madam, 
wyt  you  wel  that  shal  I  never  do,  for  I  shal  never  be  soo 
fals  to  you  of  that  I  have  promysed,  but  the  same 
deystenye  that  ye  have  taken  you  to,  I  wyl  take  me  unto, 
for  to  plese  Jhesu,  and  ever  for  you  I  cast  me  specially  25 
to  praye."  "  Yf  thou  wylt  do  so,"  sayd  the  quene, 
"  holde  thy  promyse,  but  I  may  never  byleve  but  that 
thou  wylt  torne  to  the  world  ageyn."  "  Wel,  madam," 
sayd  he,  "  ye  say  as  pleseth  you,  yet  wyst  you  me  never 
fals  of  my  promesse,  and  God  defende  but  I  shold  for-  30 
sake  the  world  as  ye  have  do ;  for  in  the  quest  of  the 
Sank  Greal  I  had  fo[r]saken  the  vanytees  of  the  world, 
had  not  your  lord  ben.  And  yf  I  had  done  so  at  that 
tyme  wyth  my  herte.  wylle,  and  thought,  I  had  passed  al 


232  LE  MORTE  DARTHUR.  [Book  XXI. 

the  knyghtes  that  were  in  the  Sanke  Greal,  excepte  Syr 
Galahad  my  sone,  and  therfore,  lady,  sythen  ye  have 
taken  you  to  perfeccion,  I  must  nedys  take  me  to  per- 
fection of  ryght.  For  I  take  recorde  of  God  in  you  I 
5  have  had  myn  erthly  joye,  and  yf  I  had  founden  you  now 
so  dysposed,  I  had  caste  me  to  have  had  you  in  to  myn 
owne  royame." 

Capitulum  5. 

"  But  sythen  I  fynde  you  thus  desposed,  I  ensure  you 
faythfully  I  wyl  ever  take  me  to   penaunce,  and  praye 

10  whyle  my  lyf  kisteth,  yf  that  I  may  fynde  ony  heremyte 
other  graye  or  whyte  that  wyl  receyve  me.  Wherfore, 
madame,  I  praye  you  kysse  me  and  never  nomore." 
'"  Nay,"  sayd  the  quene,  "  that  shal  I  never  do,  but 
absteyne  you  from  suche  werkes."     And  they  departed, 

15  but  there  was  never  so  harde  an  herted  man  but  he  wold 
have  wepte  to  see  the  dolour  that  they  made,  for  there 
was  laementacyon  as  they  had  be  stungyn  wyth  sperys, 
and  many  tymes  they  swouned  ;  and  the  ladyes  bare  the 
quene  to  hir  chambre.     And  Syr  Launcelot  awok,  and 

20  went  and  took  his  hors,  and  rode  al  that  day  and  al  ny^/;t 
in  a  forest,  wepyng.  And  atte  last  he  was  ware  of  an 
ermytage  and  a  chappel  stode  betwyxte  two  clyffes,  and 
than  he  herde  a  lytel  belle  rynge  to  masse,  and  thyder  he 
rode  and  alyght,  and  teyed  his  hors  to  the  gate,  and  herd 

25  masse.  And  he  that  sange  masse  was  the  bysshop  of 
Caunterburye.  Bothe  the  bysshop  and  Sir  Bedwer  knewe 
Syr  Launcelot,  and  they  spake  to  gyders  after  masse,  but 
whan  Syr  Bedwere  had  tolde  his  tale  al  hole,  Syr  Launce- 
lottes  hert  almost  braste  for  sorowe,  and  Sir  Launcelot 

3cJ  threwe  hys  armes  abrode,  and  sayd,  "  Alas  !  who  may 
/  truste  thys  world  ?  "     And  than  he  knelyd  doun  on  his 


Chap.  X.]     LAUNCELOT  BECOMES  A  HOLY  MAN.       233 

knee,  and  prayed  the  bysshop  to  shryve  hym  and  assoyle 
hym ;  and  than  he  besought  the  bysshop  that  he  myght 
be  hys  brother.  Than  the  bysshop  sayd,  "  I  wyll  gladly," 
and  there  he  put  an  habyte  upon  Syr  Launcelot,  and 
there  he  servyd  God  day  and  ny^//t  with  prayers  and  5 
fastynges. 

Thus  the  grete  hoost  abode  at  Dover,  and  than  Sir 
Lyonel  toke  fyftene  lordes  with  hym,  and  rode  to  London 
to  seke  Sir  Launcelot ;  and  there  Syr  Lyonel  was  slayn, 
and  many  of  his  lordes.  Thenne  Syr  Bors  de  Ganys  10 
made  the  grete  hoost  for  to  goo  hoome  ageyn.  And  Syr 
Boors,  Syr  Ector  de  Maris,  Syr  Blamour,  Syr  Bleoboris, 
with  moo  other  of  Syr  Launcelottes  kynne,  toke  on  hem 
to  ryde  al  Englorid  overthwart  and  endelonge  to  seek  Syr 
Launcelot.  So  Syr  Bors  by  fortune  rode  so  longe  tyl  he  15 
came  to  the  same  chapel  where  Syr  Launcelot  was,  and 
so  Syr  Bors  herde  a  lytel  belle  knylle  that  range  to  masse, 
and  there  he  alyght  and  herde  masse.  And  whan  masse 
was  doon  the  bysshop,  Syr  Launcelot,  and  Sir  Bedwere 
came  to  Syr  Bors,  and  whan  Syr  Bors  sawe  Sir  Launcelot  20 
in  that  maner  clothyng,  than  he  preyed  the  bysshop  that 
he  mvffht  be  in  the  same  sewte.  And  so  there  was  an 
habyte  put  upon  hym,  and  there  he  lyved  in  prayers  and 
fastyng.  And  wythin  halfe  a  yere  there  was  come  Syr 
Galyhud,  Syr  Galyhodyn,  Sir  Blamour,  Syr  Bleoheris,  Syr  25 
Wyllyars,  Syr  Clarras,  and  Sir  Gohaleanjyne.  So  al 
these  vij  noble  kny^V/tes  there  abode  styll,  and  whan  they 
sawe  Syr  Launcelot  had  taken  hym  to  suche  perfeccion, 
they  had  no  last  to  departe,  but  toke  suche  an  habyte  as 
he  had.  Thus  they  endured  in  grete  penaunce  syx  yere,  30 
and  than  Syr  Launcelot  took  thabyte  of  preesthod  of  the 
bysshop,  and  a  twelve  monthe  he  sange  masse,  and  there 
was  none  of  these  other  knyghtes  but  they  redde  in 
bookes,  and  holpe  for  to  syng^  masse,  and  range  bellys, 


234  LE   AlORTK   DAKIJIUK.  [Book  XXI. 

and  dyd  bodoly  al  maner  of  servyce.  And  soo  their 
horses  wente  where  they  wolde,  for  they  toke  no  regarde 
of  no  worldly  rychesses,  for  whan  they  sawe  Syr  Launce- 
lot  endure  suche  penaunce  in  prayers  and  fastynges,  they 
5  toke  no  force  what  payne  they  endured  for  to  see  the 
nobleste  knyght  of  the  world  take  suche  abstynaunce 
that  he  waxed  ful  lene.  And  thus  upon  a  nyght  there 
came  a  vysyon  to  Syr  Launcelot,  and  charged  hym  in 
remyssyon  of  his  synnes  to  haste  hym  unto  Almysbury, 

10  "  And  by  thenne  then^  come  there,  thou  shall  fynde  quene 
Guenever  dede.  And  therfore  take  thy  felowes  with  the, 
and  parcuey  them  of  an  hors  here,  and  fetche  thou  the 
cors  of  hir,  and  burye  hir  by  her  husbond,  the  noble 
kyng   Arthur."       So   this    avysyon    came    to    Launcelot 

15  thryse  in  one   nyght. 

Capitulum  ji. 

Than  Syr  Launcelot  rose  up  oe^  day  and  tolde  the 
heremyte.  "  It  were  wel  done,"  sayd  the  heremyte, 
"  that  ye  made  you  redy,  and  that  ye  dyshobeye  not  the 
avysyon."     Than  Syr  Launcelot  toke  his  vij  felowes  with 

20  hym,  and  on  fore  they  yede  from  Glastynburye  to  Almys- 
burye,  the  whyche  is  lytel  more  than  xxx  myle,  and 
thyder  they  came  within  two  dayes,  for  they  were  wayke 
and  feble  to  goo.  And  whan  Syr  Launcelot  was  come  to 
Almysburye  within  the  nunerye,  quene  Guenever  deyed 

25  but  halfe  an  oure  afore.  And  the  ladyes  tolde  Syr 
Launcelot  that  quene  Guenever  tolde  hem  al,  or  she 
passyd,  that  Syr  Launcelot  had  ben  preest  nere  a  twelve 
monthe.  "  And  hyder  he  cometh  as  faste  as  he  may  to 
fetche  my  cors  :  and  besyde  my  lord  kyng  Arthur  he  shal 

30  berye  me."  Wherfore  the  quene  sayd  in  heryng  of  hem 
1  Read  thou.  ^  Read  or. 


Chap.  XL]  DEATH  OF   THE    QUEEN.  235 

al,  "  I  beseche  Almyghty  God  that  I  may  never  have 
power  to  see  Syr  Launcelot  wyth  my  worldly  eyen." 
"  And  thus,"  said  al  the  ladyes,  "  was  ever  hir  prayer 
these  two  dayes,  tyl  she  was  dede."  Than  Syr  Launcelot 
sawe  hir  vysage,  bat^  he  wepte  not  gretelye  but  syghed,  5 
and  so  he  dyd  al  the  observaunce  of  the  servyce  hym 
self,  bothe  the  Dyryge,  and  on  the  niorne  he  sange  masse. 
And  there  was  ordeyned  an  hors  here ;  and  so  wyth  an 
hondred  torches  ever  brennyng  aboute  the  cors  of  the 
quene,  and  ever  Syr  Launcelot  with  his  viij  felowes  wente  10 
aboute  the  hors  here,  syngyng  and  redyng  many  an  holy 
oryson,  and  frankensens  upon  the  corps  encensed. 

Thus  Syr  Launcelot  and  his  eyght  felowes  wente  on 
foot  from  Almysburye  unto  Glastynburye,  and  whan  they 
were  come  to  the  chapel  and  the  hermytage,  there  she  15 
had  a  Dyryge  wyth  grete  devocyon,  and  on  the  morne 
the  heremyte  that  somtyme  was  bysshop  of  Canterburye 
sa«ge  the  masse  of  requyem  wyth  grete  devocyon ;  and 
Syr  Launcelot  was  the  fyrst  that  offeryd,  and  than  als  his 
eyght  felowes.  And  than  she  was  wrapped  in  cored  20 
clothe  of  Raynes,  from  the  toppe  to  the  too,  in  xxx  folde, 
and  after  she  was  put  in  a  webbe  of  leed,  and  than  in  a 
coffyn  of  marbyl.  And  whan  she  was  put  in  therth,  Syr 
Launcelot  swouned,  and  laye  longe  stylle,  whyle  the 
hermyte  came  and  awaked  hym,  and  sayd,  "  Ye  be  to  25 
blame,  for  ye  dysplese  God  with  suche  maner  of  sorow 
makyng."  "  Truly,"  sayd  Syr  Launcelot,  "  I  trust  I  do 
not  dysplese  God,  for  he  knoweth  myn  entente  ;  for  my 
sorow  was  not  nor  is  not  for  ony  rejoysyng  of  synne,  but 
my  sorow  may  never  have  ende.  For  whan  I  remembre  30 
of  hir  beaulte  and  of  hir  noblesse,  that  was  bothe  wyth 
hyr  kyng  and  wyth  hyr,  so  whan  I  sawe  his  corps  and  hir 
corps  so  lye  togyders,  truly  myn  herte  wold  not  serve  to 

1  Read  but. 


236  LE  MORTE  D ARTHUR.  [Book  XXI. 

susteyne  my  careful  body.  Also  whan  I  remewbre  me, 
how  by  my  defaute  and  myn  orgule  and  my  pryde,  that 
they  were  bothe  layed  ful  lowe,  that  were  pereles  that 
ever  was  lyvyng  of  Cristen  people,  wyt  you  wel,"  sayd 
5  Syr  Launcelot,  "  this  remembred,  of  there  kyndenes 
and  myn  unkyndenes,  sanke  so  to  myn  herte  that  I 
my^/zt  not  susteyne  my  self."  So  the  Frensshe  book 
maketh  mencyon. 

Capitulum  jii. 

THENiVE  Syr  Launcelot  never  after  ete  but  lytel  mete, 

ro  nor  dranke,  tyl  he  was  dede,  for  than  he  seekened  more 
and  more,  and  dryed  and  dwyned  awaye  ;  for  the  bysshop 
nor  none  of  his  felowes  my^V/t  not  make  hym  to  ete,  and 
lytel  he  dranke,  that  he  was  waxen  by  a  kybbet  shorter 
than  he  was,  that  the  peple  coude  not  knowe  hym ;  for 

IS  evermore  day  and  ny^//t  he  prayed,  but  somtyme  he 
slombred  a  broken  slepe.  Ever  he  was  lyeng  grovelyng 
on  the  tombe  of  kyng  Arthur  and  queue  Guenever,  and 
there  was  no  comforte  that  the  bysshop  nor  Syr  Bors  nor 
none  of  his  felowes  coude   make   hym,   it  avaylled  not. 

20  Soo  wythin  syx  wekye  after,  Syr  Launcelot  fyl  seek,  and 
laye  in  his  bedde ;  and  thenne  he  sente  for  the  bysshop 
that  there  was  heremyte  and  al  his  trewe  felowes.  Than 
Syr  Launcelot  sayd  wyth  drery  Steven,  "  Syr  bysshop,  I 
praye  you  gyve  to  me  al  my  ryghtes  that  longeth  to  a 

25  Chrysten  man."  "  It  shal  not  nede  you,"  sayd  the  here- 
myte and  al  his  felowes.  "  It  is  but  hevynesse  of  your 
blood.  Ye  shal  be  wel  mended,  by  the  grace  of  God,  to 
morne."  "My  fayr  lordes,"  sayd  Syr  Launcelot,  "wyt 
you  wel  my  careful  body  wyl  in  to  therthe ;   I  hove  warn- 

30  yng  more  than  now  I  wyl  say,  therfore  gyve  me  my 
ryghtes."      So  whan  he  was  howselyd  and  enelyd,  and 


Chap.  XII.]  DEATH  OF  LAUNCELOT.  IZl 

had  al  that  a  Crysten  man  ought  to  have,  he  prayed  the 
bysshop  that  his  felowes  myght  here  his  body  to  Joyous 
Garde.  Somme  men  say  it  was  Anwyk,  and  sonime  may 
say  it  was  Hamborow.  "  How  be  it,"  sayd  Syr  Launce- 
lot,  "  me  repenteth  sore,  but  I  made  myn  avowe  somtyme  5 
that  in  Joyous  Garde  I  wold  be  buryed,  and  by  cause  of 
brekyng  of  myn  avowe  I  praye  you  al  lede  me  thyder." 

Than  there  was  wepyng  and  wryngyng  of  handes 
among  his  felowes.  So  at  a  seson  of  the  nyght  they  al 
wente  to  theyr  beddes,  for  they  alle  laye  in  one  chambre.  10 
And  so  after  mydnyght,  ayenst  day,  the  bysshop  then 
was  hermyte,  as  he  laye  in  his  bedd  a  slepe,  he  fyl  upon 
a  grete  laughter,  and  therwyth  al  the  felyshyp  awoke  and 
came  to  the  bysshop,  and  asked  hym  what  he  eyled.  "  A, 
Jh(?j-u,  mercy,"  sayd  the  bysshop,  "why  dyd  ye  awake  15 
me  ?  I  was  never  in  al  my  lyf  so  mery  and  so  wel  at 
ease."  "  Wherfore  ?  "  sayd  Syr  Bors.  "  Truly,"  sayd 
the  bysshop,  '"  here  was  Syr  Launcelot  with  me  with  mo 
angellis  than  ever  I  sawe  men  in  one  day ;  and  I  sawe 
the  angellys  heve  up  Syr  Launcelot  unto  heven,  and  the  20 
yates  of  heven  opened  ayenst  hym."  "  It  is  but  dretch- 
yng  of  swevens,"  sayd  Syr  Bors,  "for  I  doubte  not  Syr 
Launcelot  ayleth  no  thynge  but  good."  "  It  may  wel 
be,"  sayd  the  bysshop,  "goo  ye  to  his  bedde,  and  than 
shall  ye  prove  the  soth."  So  whan  Syr  Bors  and  his  25 
felowes  came  to  his  bedde,  they  founde  hym  starke  dede  ; 
and  he  laye  as  he  had  smyled,  and  the  swettest  savour 
aboute  hym  that  ever  they  felte. 

Than  was  there  wepyng  and  wryngyng  of  handes,  and 
the  grettest  dole  they  made  that  ever  made  men.  And  30 
on  the  morne  the  bysshop  dyd  his  masse  of  Requyem, 
and  after  the  bysshop  and  al  the  ix  knyghtes  put  Syr 
Launcelot  in  the  same  hors  here  that  quene  Guenevere 
was  layed  in  tofore  that  she  was  buryed.     And  soo  the 


238  I.E   MORTK  DARTnUK.  [Uouk  XXI. 

bysshop  and  they  al  logydere  wente  wylh  the  body  of  Syr 
Launcelot  dayly  tyl  they  came  to  Joyous  Garde,  and  ever 
they  had  an  C  torches  bernnyng  aboute  hym.  And  so 
within  XV  dayes  they  came  to  Joyous  Garde.  And  there 
5  they  layed  his  corps  in  the  body  of  the  quere,  and  sange 
and  redde  many  saulters  and  prayes  over  hym  and  aboute 
hym,  and  ever  his  vysage  was  layed  open  and  naked  that 
al  folkes  myght  beholde  hym,  for  suche  was  the  custom 
in  tho  dayes,  that  al  men  of  worshyp  shold  so  lye  wyth 
10  open  vysage  tyl  that  they  were  buryed.  And  ryght  thus 
as  they  were  at  theyr  servyce,  there  came  Syr  Ector  de 
Maris,  that  had  vij  yere  sought  al  Englond,  Scotland,  and 
VValys,  sekyng  his  brother  Syr  Launcelot. 

Capitulum  jiii. 

And  whan  Syr  Ector  herde  suche  noyse  and  lyghte  in 

15  the  quyre  of  Joyous  Garde,  he  alyght  and  put  his  hors 
from  hym,  and  came  in  to  the  quyre,  and  there  he  sawe 
men  synge  [and]  wepe.  And  al  they  knewe  Syr  Ector, 
but  he  knewe  not  them.  Than  wente  Syr  Bors  unto  Syr 
Ector,  and  tolde   hym   how  there   laye   his  brother   Syr 

20  Launcelot  dede.  And  than  Syr  Ector  threwe  hys  shelde, 
swerde,  and  helme  from  hym.  And  whan  he  behelde  Syr 
Launcelottes  vysage,  he  fyl  doun  in  a  swoun.  And  whan 
he  waked,  it  were  harde  ony  tonge  to  telle  the  doleful 
complayntes  that  he  made  for  his  brother.     "  A,  Launce- 

25  lot,"  he  sayd,  "  thou  were  hede  of  al  Crysten  knyghtes. 
And  now  I  dare  say,"  sayd  Syr  Ector,  "  thou  Sir  Launce- 
lot, there  thou  lyest,  that  thou  were  never  matched  of 
erthely  knyghtes  hande,  and  thou  were  the  curtest  knyght 
that  ever  bare  shelde,  and  thou  were  the  truest  frende  to 

30  thy  lovar  that  ever  bestrade  hors,  and  thou  were  the 
trewest  lover  of  a  synful  man  that  ever  loved  woman,  and 


Chap.  XIII.]     THE  MOURNING  FOR  LAUNCELOT.       239 

thou  were  the  kyndest  man  that  ever  strake  wyth  swerde, 
and  thou  were  the  godelyest  persone  tha\.  ever  cam 
emonge  prees  of  knyghtes,  and  thou  was  the  mekest  man 
and  the  jentyllest  that  ever  ete  in  halle  emonge  ladyes, 
and  thou  were  the  sternest  knyght  to  thy  mortal  foo  that  5 
ever  put  spere  in  the  breste." 

Than  there  was  wepyng  and  dolour  out  of  mesure. 
Thus  they  kepte  Syr  Launcelots  corps  on  lofte  xv  dayes, 
and  than  they  buryed  it  with  grete  devocyon.  And  than 
at  leyser  they  wente  al  with  the  bysshop  of  Canterburye  10 
to  his  ermytage,  and  there  they  were  to  gyder  more  than 
a  monthe.  Than  Syr  Costantyn,  that  was  Syr  Cadores 
sone  of  Cornwayl,  was  chosen  kyng  of  Englond,  and  he 
was  a  ful  noble  knyght,  and  worshypfully  he  rulyd  this 
royame.  And  than  thys  kyng  Costantyn  sent  for  the  15 
bysshop  of  Caunterburye,  for  he  herde  saye  where  he 
was,  and  so  he  was  restored  unto  his  bysshopryche,  and 
lefte  that  ermytage.  And  Syr  Bedwere  was  there  ever 
stylle  heremyte  to  his  lyves  ende.  Than  Syr  Bors  de 
Ganys,  Syr  Ector  de  Maris,  Syr  Gahalantyne,  Syr  Galy-  20 
hud,  Sir  Galyhodyn,  Syr  Blamour,  Syr  Bleoberys,  Syr 
Wyllyats  de  Balyaunt,  Syr  Clartus  of  Clere  Mounte,  al 
these  kny^//tes  drewe  them  to  theyr  contreyes.  How  be 
it,  kyng  Costantyn  wold  have  had  them  wyth  hym,  but 
they  wold  not  abyde  in  this  royame.  And  there  they  al  25 
lyved  in  their  cuntreys  as  holy  men.  And  somme 
Englysshe  bookes  maken  mencyon  that  they  wente  never 
cute  of  Englond  after  the  deth  of  Syr  Launcelot,  but  that 
was  but  favour  of  makers  ;  for  the  Frensshe  book  maketh 
mencyon  and  is  auctorysed  that  Syr  Bors,  Syr  Ector,  Syr  30 
blamour,  and  Syr  Bleoberis,  wente  in  to  the  Holy  Lande, 
there  as  Jhesu  Cryst  was  quycke  and  deed,  and  anone  as 
they  had  stablysshed  theyr  londes ;  for  the  book  saith  so 
Syr  Launcelot  commaunded  them  for  to  do  or  ever  he 


240  LE   MORTE  D ARTHUR. 

passyd  oiite  of  thys  world.  And  these  foure  knyghtes 
dyd  many  bataylles  upon  the  myscreantes  or  Turkes,  and 
there  they  ded  upon  a  good  Fryday  for  Goddes  sake. 
Here  is  the  end  of  the  booke^  of  kyng  Arthur  and  of 
5  his  noble  knyghtes  of  the  Rounde  Table,  that  whan  they 
were  hole  togyders  there  was  ever  an  C  and  xl.  And 
here  is  the  ende  of  the  deth  of  Arthur.  I  praye  you,  all 
jentyl  men  and  jentyl  wymmen  that  redeth  this  book  of 
Arthur  and  his  knyghtes    from    the    begynnyng  to  the 

10  endyng,  praye  for  me  whyle  I  am  on  lyve  that  God  sende 
me  good  delyveraunce,  and  whan  I  am  deed,  I  praye  you 
all  praye  for  my  soule  ;  for  this  book  was  ended  the  ix  yere 
of  the  reygne  of  kyng  Edward  the  Fourth  by  Syr  Thomas 
Maleore,  knyght,  as  Jhesu  helpe  hym  for  hys  grete  myght, 

15  as  he  is  the  servaunt  of  Jhesu  bothe  day  and  nyght. 

Ubus  enDetb  tbvs  noble  an^  ^oi^ous  Xi^d^ 
entinle^  le  morte  Dartbur/IRotw^tbstonb* 
^UQ  it  treatetb  of  tbe  b\utb/lpt/anC>  actes 
ot  tbe  sai^t)  ftv^uo  Brtbur  /  ot  bis  noble 
hn^Obtes  ol  tbe  voun&e  table /tbe^r  mer* 
vapllous  enquestes  anD  a&ventures/tbacb* 
peviniG  of  tbe  sanoveal/<5^  in  tben&e  tbe 
&oloi'ons  betb  <X  ^epartv^no  out  ot  tbps  worl^ 
of  tbem  al/vvbicbe  booft  was  reMiceD  in  to 
enol^^ssbe  b^  svr  Ilbomas  /iDalor^  ftnixjbt 
as  afore  is  sap&/an&  b\?  me  &evp&e&  in  to 
jji  boof^es,  cbapY>tre^  anD  enprpnte^/an^ 
fini^ssbet)  in  tbabbei^  westmestre  tbe  last 
t>a^  of  %\\^\  tbe  pere  of  our  lor&  /  /ID  / 
CCCC  /  \llVO, 

Cajton  me  fieri  fecit, 

^  Repeated  in  form  book. 


BOOKS  REFERRED  TO  IN  NOTES. 


Baldwin  .  .  .  The  Inflections  and  Syntax  of  the  Morte  d' Ar- 
thur of  Sir  Thomas  Malory.  A  Study  in  Fifteenth  Century 
EngHsh  by  Charles  Sears  Baldwin.  Boston,  1894.  Cited 
by  section. 

Child,  Ballads  .  .  .  The  English  and  Scottish  Popular  Ballads. 
Edited  by  Francis  James  Child.  Parts  i-ix.  Boston,  New 
York,  and  Lond.,  1883-94. 

E.  E.  T.  S.  .  .  .     Early  English  Text  Society. 

HuTH  Aferlht  .  .  .  Merlin  :  Roman  en  prose  du  xiije  siecle, 
public  avec  la  mise  en  prose  du  po^me  de  Merlin  de  Robert 
de  Boron  d'apres  le  manuscrit  appartenant  k  M.  Alfred  H. 
Huth,  par  Gaston  Paris  et  Jacob  Ulrich.  2  vols.  Paris, 
1886. 

Jacobs,  List  of  Folk-Tale  Incidents  ...  In  Report  of  The  In- 
ternational Folk- Lore  Congress,  1891.  Papers  and  Trans., 
edited  by  Joseph  Jacobs  and  Alfred  Nutt,  1892. 

Kellner,  Blanch,  and  Egl.  .  .  .  Caxton's  Blanchardyn  and 
Eglantyne,  edited  by  Leon  Kellner,  E.  E.  T.  S.  (Extra  Series 
58),   1890.     Cited  by  page. 

Kellner,  Eno-.  Syntax  .  .  .  Historical  Outlines  of  English 
Syntax  by  Leon  Kellner.  Lond.  and  New  York,  1892.  Cited 
by  section. 

N.  E.  D.  .  .  .  A  New  English  Dictionary  on  Historical  Prin- 
ciples. Murray  and  Bradley.  New  York  (Oxford),  1884 
seq. 

Nutt,  Studies  .  .  .  Studies  on  the  Legend  of  the  Holy  Grail, 
with  especial  Reference  to  the  Hypothesis  of  its  Celtic  Origin, 
by  Alfred  Nutt.      Lond.,  1868. 


242  BOOKS  REFERRED    TO    IN  NOTES. 

Prose    Merlin  .  .  .       Merlin  ;    or   the   Early   History  of    King 

Arthur:     a    Prose    Romance    (about    1450-60),    edited   by 

Henry  B.  Wheatley.     Lond.,  1865-69  (E.  E.  T.  S.). 
Rh^'S,    Studies  .  .  .     Studies  in  the  Arthurian  Legend  by  John 

Rhys.      Oxford,  1891. 
SCHULTZ,    Das  hofische   Leben  .  .  .     Das    hofische    Leben    zur 

Zeit  der  Minnesinger  von  Dr.  Alwin  Schultz.      Zweite  Aufl. 

2  vols.,  Leipzig,  1889. 
SOMMEK  ...     Le  Morte  Darthur  by  Syr  Thomas  Malory  .  .  . 

edited  by  H.  Oskar   Sommer.     Lond.     Vol.  i,  Text,   1889; 

vol.  ii,   Introduction,  1890  ;  vol.  iii,  Studies  on  the  Sources, 

1891. 


N  OTES, 


BOOK    I. 
Source. 


In  the  third  volume  of  liis  edition  of  Le  Morte  Darthttr,  Som- 
mer  has  made  a  minute  comparison  of  Malory's  text  with  the 
sources  as  far  as  they  are  accessible.  Of  the  results  of  his  inves- 
tigations I  have  space  for  nothing  more  than  a  brief  summary. 

Book  I  is  based  upon  the  French  prose  romance  of  Merlin,'^ 
which  has  been  preserved  in  a  variety  of  forms.  The  original 
short  romance  extended  only  to  the  coronation  of  Arthur,  and  was 
based  by  some  unknown  prose  writer  upon  a  poem  by  Robert  de 
Borron,  who  flourished  at  the  end  of  the  12th  century.  To  this 
romance  were  appended  various  anonymous  continuations  which 
we  have  in  single  manuscripts.  These  vary  widely  from  the  con- 
tinuation most  commonly  found,  which,  by  the  way,  appears  in  the 
English  Merlin  mentioned  in  the  footnote. 

For  the  details  of  Sommer's  comparison,  see  iii,  14-70. 
Wechssler  differs  here  and  there  from  Sommer  on  some  matters. 
Cf.  Ueber  die  verschiedenen  Redactioiien  des  Robert  von  Borron 
zugeschriebenen  Graal-Lancelot-Cycliis,  Halle  a.  S.,  1895,  pp. 
22-25.  Malory  very  greatly  shortened  his  original  and  introduced 
slight  additions  of  his  own. 

1  I  may  be  allowed  to  refer  for  details  concerning  the  romance  of  Merlin  to 
my  introduction  to  the  15th-century  English  prose  Merlin  (ed.  Wheatley),  Early 
English  Text  Society,  London,  1899. 

Sommer  has  printed  the  French  Merlin  from  MS.  Add.  10292  (British  Mu- 
seum), under  the  title,  Le  Roman  de  Merlin,  London,  1S94.  There  are  numerous 
other  MSS.,  a  list  of  which  is  given  in  my  discussion  of  the  Merlin, 


244  NOTES.  [&k.  I,  Cap.  I. 

The  various  versions  of  tlie  Merlin  legend  in  Middle  English 
literature  should  be  consulted.  The  most  important  of  these  are  : 
(i)  The  Romance  of  Merlin.,  3  vols.,  E.  E.  T.  S.,  ed.  Wheatley  ; 
(2)  Arihour  and  Aferlin,  averse  romance  of  the  14th  century, 
ed.  Kolbing,  Altenglische  Bidliothek,  vol.  iv  ;  (3)  the  15th-cen- 
tury versified  romance  of  Merlin  by  Herry  Lovelich,  Skinner, 
announced  by  the  Early  Englisli  Text  Society  as  in  preparation.^ 
This  translation  is  based  upon  a  French  MS.  differing  some- 
what from  that  which  served  as  the  basis  for  the  Merlin  edited 
by  Wheatley,  but  in  general  presenting  the  same  story. 

1  1.  to  precede  forth.  In  the  portion  of  the  Preface  omitted  from 
these  selections,  Caxton  explains  why  he  has  printed  Le  Mortc  Dartkur, 
and  gives  his  reasons  for  believing  that  Arthur  had  actually  existed. 

1  6.  tlienne  callyd  Brytaygne.  The  name  Great  Britain,  "  originally 
applied  to  the  whole  island  of  Britain  to  distinguish  it  from  Britannia 
Minor,  or  Britanny,  and  often  used  in  poetry  or  exalted  prose,"  was 
never  used  "  for  official  purposes  until  after  the  accession  of  James  I. 
...  In  1604  James  definitely  styled  himself  King  of  Great  Britain  on 
his  coins."     Low  and  Pulling,  Diet,  of  Eng.  Hist.,  p.  515. 

1  7.  syinple  perso7ie ^\y\xvcCo\^  person,  not  of  high  birth.  Those 
who  belonged  to  the  yeomanry  were  called  simple  in  contrast  with  the 
nobles  and  gentles  (gentry). 

2  5.  Cote  male  taylle.  To  king  Arthur's  court  came  a  young  man  in 
an  ill-fitting  garment  of  cloth  of  gold.  He  gave  his  name  as  Breunor 
le  Noire,  but  Kay  said  :  "  In  mockage  ye  shalle  be  called  la  Cote  male 
tayle,  that  is  as  moche  to  saye,  the  evil  shapen  cote."  Morte  Darthur, 
Bk.  ix,  ch.  i. 

4  10.     Garlyon.     Caxton's  misprint  for  Carlyon.     Cf.  34  11. 

5  19.  two  the  best  knyghtes.  For  this  construction,  see  Kellner, 
Eng.  Syntax,  §§  174-176. 

12  26.  ca7ne=^\\.&  came.  The  omission  of  a  pronominal  subject  is 
common.     Cf.  Baldwin,  82  ;  Kellner,  Blanch,  and  Egl.,  pp.  xxxii,  xxxiii. 

15  ].  Uther-pendrago7i.  Pendragon  means  dragon'' s  head,  as  is 
explained  in  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth's  Hist.  Regum  Britannice,  viii,  17. 
On  Uther's  history,  cf.  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth,  viii,  11-24,  and  espe- 
cially the  prose  Merlin,  pp.  41-95  (E.  E.  T.  S.).  In  Rhys's  Studies  in 
the  Arthurian  Legend  (Index)  will  be  found  important  remarks  on  the 
Celtic  relations  of  Uther-pendragon.     According  to  Zimmer,  Nennius 

1  Kolbing  has  published  the  first  i6jS  lines  in  liis  ed.  of  ArtJiour  and  Merlin, 


Bk.  I,  Cap.  I.]  NOTES.  245 

Vindicatus,  p.  286,  note,  pendragon  is  to  be  interpreted  as  head  of  the 
dragons,  i.e.,  of  the  dragon  standards  used  in  war;  in  otlier  words, 
Uther  dux  bellorum. 

15  3.  duke  of  Tyntagil.  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth,  viii,  19,  calls  him 
Gorlois. 

15  5.     send.     For  the  form,  cf.  Baldwin,  166. 

15  6.  to  brynge  his  wyf  The  whole  story  is  told  somewhat  differ- 
ently, and  with  far  more  detail,  in  the  prose  Merlin,  ch.  iv. 

15  7.  a  fair  lady,  and  a  passynge  wyse.  On  the  position  of  the 
adjectives,  cf.  Kellner,  Blanch,  and  Egl.,  pp.  cv,  cvi. 

15  9.  comyn.  "  For  -en  of  the  preterit  participle  -yn  appears  as  a 
rare  variant."     Baldwin,  188. 

15   17.     that 'we  departc.    For  the  subjunctive,  cf.  Baldwin,  232,  i  (c). 

15  20.     ^/j-(?  =  just  as.     (Zi.  N.  E.  D.,&.v. 

15  26.  The  abrupt  change  from  indirect  to  direct  speech  is  exceed- 
ingly common  in  Malory  and  other  writers  of  the  Middle  English 
period.  Cf.  39  14,  58  26,  etc.  The  Icelandic  sagas  abound  in  the 
same  construction.  Cf.  also  Libeaus  Descomis,  11.  955,  2167.  In 
Kellner's  Blanch,  and  Egl.,  pp.  xcviii-c,  is  an  excellent  discussion  of 
this  matter,  with  numerous  examples. 

16  2.     come  at  hyvi.     For  the  peculiar  use  of  at,  see  Baldwin,  324,  2. 
16  4.     badde  hytn  be  redy.     This  warning  is  worth  noting  as  being 

characteristic  of  the  mediaeval  conception  of  chivalric  warfare. 

16  6.  wold  fetche  hym  oute  of  the  byggest  castell  that  he  hath.  Cf.  a 
similar  expression,  Morte  Darthur,  xx,  10  (p.  814  20,  Sommer).  "The 
loose  sequence  ...  is  due  to  the  confusion  between  direct  and  indirect 
discourse."     Baldwin,  263.     Cf.  also  Kellner,  Blanch,  and  Egl.,  p.  lix. 

16  9.  castels  of  his.  For  similar  genitives,  cf.  17  26,  19  28,  and 
Kellner's  comments,  Blanch,  and  Egl.,  p.  xxii  ;  Baldwin,  17. 

16  9.     hyght.     Cf.  Baldwin,  315. 

16  9.  For  Tyntagil,  see  Baedeker's  Great  Britain  {1887),  pp.  146,  147. 
Cf.  also  the  striking  description  in   Swinburne's    Tristram  of  Lyonesse, 

ii.  33-57- 

16  10.  Terrabyl.  This  castle  is  identified  in  Notes  and  Queries, 
series  vii,  vol.  xii,  pp.  41,  412,  with  Launceston  Castle  in  Cornwall. 

16  18.  seke.  Illness  d\ie  to  love  is  a  common  motive  in  the  romances. 
A  notable  instance  appears  in  the  illness  of  Belisant  in  Amis  and 
Amiloun,  11.  4S5  seq. ;  Guy  of  Warwick  was  ill  a  fortnight  because 
Felice  was  scornful.  G.  of  W.,  version  i,  11.  205  seq.  Cf.  also  William 
■-f  Palerne,  11.  890  seq.,  Arcite  in  Chaucer's  Knigktes  Tale,  11.  500 
seq.,  etc. 


246  NOTES.  [Bk.  I,  Cap.  II. 

17  5.     more  than  a  pans  =  faster  than  a  walk. 

17  10.    pavelions  dore.     For  the  genitive,  see  Baldwin,  i8. 

17  19.  it  shall  be  delyverd  to  me.  Cf.  the  detailed  account  in  the 
prose  Merlin,  p.  75.  The  promise  of  a  child  as  a  payment  for  some 
service  is  a  not  uncommon  motive  in  folk-tales.  Cf.  Ruvipelstilzchen  in 
Grimm's  Hansmdrcken,  No.  55,  and  Jacobs's  List  of  Incidents;  also 
Indian  Fairy  Tales  (ed.  Jacobs),  "  The  Prince  and  the  Fakir,"  p.  180. 

17  25.  The  parts  are  assigned  differently  in  the  prose  Merlin,  p.  76, 
and  in  Geoffrey's  Historia,  viii,  19. 

17  26.     knyghte  of  the  dukes.     Cf.  16  9. 

17  28.  wayte  ye  make  not.  For  the  subjunctive,  see  Baldwin, 
232,  I  (e). 

18  ."?.    for  to  have  distressid.     For  the  tense,  see  Baldwin,  260. 
IS  9.     on  day.     Cf.  Baldwin,  340. 

IS  23.  it  ivere  grete  joye  .  .  .  and  hit  my ghte  please  the  kyhge.  For 
the  subjunctive,  see  Baldwin,  21 1.  The  use  of  and  in  the  sense  of  //"is 
very  common  in  the  Morte  Darthiir. 

18  29.  For  all  these  names,  up  to  the  end  of  the  chapter,  see  Rhys's 
Studies  (Index).  He  devotes  an  entire  chapter  to  "Urien  and  his  Con- 
geners."    Cf.  also  Nutt's  Studies. 

IS  33.  Morgan  le  Fey.  In  the  prose  Merlin,  p.  508,  we  are  told  why 
she  was  called  le  Fey.  Merlin  is  there  said  to  have  been  her  teacher. 
In  the  Zeitschrift  fur  fraitz.  Sprache  Ji7id  Lit.,  xii,  239,  Zimmer  points 
out  that  before  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth  the  figure  of  Morgan  le  Fey  was 
unknown  to  Welsh  literature. 

19  2.  nygromancye.  Cf.  note,  too  long  to  quote,  in  Skeat's  Piers 
Plowmaft  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  vol.  iv,  sec.  i,  p.  246.  See  also  his  note  to 
Chaucer'sC.  T,  IForks,  v,  314,  and  a  note  by  Ward  to  Marlowe's  L>r. 
Faustus,  p.  125.  As  necromancy  had  been  under  the  ban  of  the  church 
since  the  time  of  Constantine,  one  would  hardly  expect  Morgan  le  Fey 
to  be  initiated  into  the  black  art  in  a  nunnery. 

19  3.  Syre  Ewayns  le  Blatcnche  May7tys  fader.  Variously  known 
in  the  Morte  Darthur  as  Uwayne,  Ewayne,  le  fyse  de  roy  Uryence,  le 
or  la  blaunche  maynys,  les  avoultres,  les  avoutres,  etc.  Ewein  les 
Avoutres  is  frequently  referred  to  in  the  prose  Merlifi.  He  is  there 
described  (p.  23S)  as  the  son  of  king  Urien  and  the  wife  of  his  steward 
Cleodalis.  The  king's  legitimate  son  also  bears  the  name  Ewein.  The 
Merlin  further  distinguishes  (p.  294)  "  Ewein  white  honde  "  from  the 
other  two  Eweins. 

19  7.  he  asked  hir.  .See  the  same  story  with  some  variations  in 
the  prose  Merlin,  pp.  86,  87. 


Bk.  I,  Cap.  III.]  NOTES.  247 

19  30.  Sir  Ector.  In  the  prose  Merlin,  pp.  91  seq.,  he  is  called 
Antor.     Tennyson  prefers  another  form : 

Wherefore  Merlin  took  the  child, 
And  gave  him  to  Sir  Anton,  an  old  knight 
And  ancient  friend  of  Uther,  and  his  wife 
Nursed  the  young  prince,  and  reared  him  with  her  own. 

The  Coming  of  Arthur,  11.  179-182, 

20  3.  put  his  owne  child  to  nourisshynge  to  another  wotnan.  The 
prose  Merlin  (p.  135)  remarks  upon  Kay's  evil  speech  and  attributes  it 
to  his  being  put  out  to  be  nursed  by  a  woman  of  low  rank.  "  This 
tecche  hadde  Kay  take  in  his  norice  that  he  dide  of  sowke,  ffor  he 
hadde  it  nothinge  of  norture  of  his  modern,"  etc.  For  similar  instances, 
see  G.  Paris,  Introd.  to  Huth  Merlin,  p.  xxi  (note). 

20  11.  when  the  lady  "was  delyvered.  The  prosaic  version  that 
Malory  gives  of  Arthur's  birth  should  be  compared  with  the  more 
poetical  account  in  Lasamon's  Brut,  11.  19,254  seq.  where  elves  appear 
and  present  the  child  with  gifts.  On  the  wider  relations  of  the  story  to 
folk-lore,  see  some  remarks  by  Alfred  Nutt  in  Problems  of  Heroic 
Legend,  ■p.  122  (Proceedings  of  International  Folk-Lore  Congress,  1891). 

20  13.     and  that  ye  delyver  kym,  etc.     Cf.  15  26. 

20  19.  Uther  felle  seke.  Cf.  Geoffrey's  Ilistoria,  viii,  24,  and  the 
prose  Merlin,  pp.  91-95. 

20  24.  hors  lyttar.  A  cut  of  a  horse  litter  from  a  late  14th-century 
French  MS.  is  in  Jusserand's  Ettglish  Wayfaring  Life  in  the  Fourteenth 
Century,  p.  lor. 

20  25.     3«^^y=:  unless.     For  the  subjunctive,  see  Baldwin,  210  (b). 

21  3.  what  counceill  were  best.  Subjunctive  of  indirect  question,  cf. 
Baldwin,  228. 

21  4.     nys-=x\Q  ys,  is  not. 

21  5.     lake  ye  .  .  .  be.     Cf.  Baldwin,  232  (e),  and  1.  14. 

21  1.5.    yelde.     For  the  form,  cf.  Baldwin,  145. 

21  22.  archebisshop  of  Caunterbury.  Some  of  the  French  versions 
of  the  Merlin  give  his  name  as  Dou  Bricc.  This  is  Geoffrey  of  Mon- 
mouth's Dubricius,  who  is  Archbishop  of  the  City  of  Legions  (ix,  12). 

21  26.  Jhesu.  Skeat  objects,  in  a  note  in  his  Chaucer,  vol.  v,  p. 
179,  to  the  ioxm  Jhesu  as  an  expansion  of  Ihu,  on  the  ground  that  the 
h  is  unnecessary.  Kaluza  holds  to  the  //.  Cf.  note  to  Libeaus  Desconiis, 
1.  320.  A  sufficient  justificalio'i  for  our  expansion  is  the  uncontracted 
form  Jhesu,  79  .".,  81  2,  84  17,  etc. 


248  NOTES.  [Bk.  I,  Cap.  III. 

21  .Tl.     send.     Cf.  l.S  5. 

21  ;w.     wrtr/t?  >^^;w  dene' of  her  /)/;=  lived  chastely. 

22  1.  Fowlis.  A  little  inquiry  would  have  removed  Malory's  doubt. 
The  earliest  Christian  church  on  the  site  of  St.  Paul's  was  founded  by 
Ethelbert  in  6io.  This  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1087,  and  was  succeeded 
liy  the  magnificent  old  St.  Paul's,  with  a  length  of  720  feet,  and  the 
loftiest  spire  in  England.  The  present  building  was  erected  by  Sir 
Christopher  Wren,  1675-97. 

22  ,'i.  a  grcte  stone.  Cf.  the  whole  story  as  here  told  (pp.  22-26) 
with  that  in  the  prose  Merlin  (pp.  97-107).  The  more  detailed  version 
is  far  more  picturesque. 

22  8.     staek.     For  the  form,  see  Baldwin,  149. 

22  9.     saiden.     The  ending  -en  is  rare.     Cf.  Baldwin,  192. 

22  10.  Who  so  pitlleth  oiite  this  s-werde,  etc.  The  accomplishment 
of  set  tasks  as  a  condition  of  receiving  a  reward  is  one  of  the  commonest 
motives  of  folk-tales  and  mediaeval  romances.  Frequently  a  penalty  is 
attached  to  the  unsuccessful  performance  of  the  undertaking.  In  one 
form  or  another  this  motive  recurs  several  times  in  the  Morte  Darthur. 
Cf.  pp.  50,  85,  89,  126.  With  reference  to  Arthur's  drawing  out  the 
sword  Gaston  Paris  remarks  (Introd.  to  Merlin,  p.  xx)  :  "  L'idee  meme 
de  cette  epreuve  parait  puisee  dans  des  legendes  bibliques  :  elle 
rappelle,  par  exemple  I'histoire  de  la  verge  de  Joseph,  qui  designe,  en 
fleurissant  seule,  celui  qui  doit  etre  I'epoux  de  Marie.  II  serait  facile 
de  remonter  plus  haut  dans  la  recherche  de  ces  designations  miracu- 
leuses,  et  il  sufiit  de  rappeler  le  noeud  gordien,  ou  dans  un  autre  genre, 
le  cheval  de  Darius.  On  retrouve  d'ailleurs  des  recits  analogues  dans 
plusieurs  contes  bretons ;  nous  citerons  surtout  un  passage  de  la  pre- 
miere continuation  de  Perceval,  ou  il  s'agit  de  retirer  du  corps  d'un 
chevalier  mort,  pour  pouvoir  le  venger,  un  tron9on  de  lance,  et  oil  celui 
qui  reussit  seul  a  le  retirer  le  fait  par  inadvertance."  The  reference 
which  M.  Paris  makes  in  a  footnote  to  the  perron  before  the  palace  of 
Charlemagne  where  the  knights  tried  their  swords  is  less  to  the  point. 
In  the  Vdlsunga  Saga,  iii,  Sigmund  shows  his  preeminence  by  pulling 
a  sword  out  of  the  Branstock,  a  great  tree  that  forms  the  central  pillar  of 
the  royal  hall.  As  an  example  from  Marchen  we  may  cite  Die  Zwei 
Brilder,  Grimm's  Hausmdrchen,  No.  60.  An  excellent  parallel  appears, 
too,  in  the  Life  of  St.  Wolston  (Wulfstan),  Bishop  of  W^orcester : 
"  After  the  English  were  defeated  at  Hastings,  Wolston  resisted  William 
boldly.  The  king  feared  his  power  and  threatened  to  depose  him. 
They  met  at  Westminster.  The  king  and  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury 
declared  that  his  arrogance  could   no  longer   be    tolerated;  Wolston 


Bk.  I,  Cap.  VI.]  NOTES.  249 

replied  mildly,  and  agreed  to  their  wish  that  he  should  resign.  His 
crosier  miraculously  stuck  in  the  marble  of  Edward's  tomb,  and  Wolston 
accepted  this  as  a  sign  that  the  dignity  could  only  be  given  up  to  its 
donor.  The  people  were  astonished  at  the  miracle  ;  no  one  was  strong 
enough  to  draw  out  the  crosier.  The  king  and  the  archbishop  craved 
permission  to  amend  their  mistake,  and  begged  him  to  receive  again  his 
crosier  as  being  most  worthy.  Wolston  complied,  and  drew  out  his 
crosier  from  the  marble  with  ease."  Early  South  Eng.  Legendary 
(E.  E.  T.  S.  No.  87),  p.  xxi.x. 

22  11.  Enlond.  A  mere  printer's  blunder  in  Caxton's  text,  due  to 
the  position  of  Eti-  at  the  end  of  the  line. 

22   13.     that  ye  kepe  yow.     Cf.  Baldwin,  232  (c). 

22  23.  and  they  to  kepe  this  stverd.  Cf.  Kellner,  Blanch,  and  Egl., 
p.  Ixix.  Baldwin's  explanation  (241)  is  somewhat  different.  Note  his 
comments,  pp.  78,  79. 

22  27.  a  Justes  and  a  tourncmctit.  In  a  joust  only  two  persons 
were  engaged ;  in  a  tournament,  a  number.  In  jousting  the  only 
weapon  used  was  the  lance.     Cf.  Schultz,  Das  hofische  Leben,  ii,  127. 

22  31.  knowe.  Not  the  infinitive,  but  the  past  participle,  as  in  1.  21, 
knowen.  Cf.  Chaucer's  "  For  P"rensh  of  Paris  was  to  hir  unknowe." 
Prol.,  1.   126. 

24  7.  but  he.  Cf.  also  25  11.  This  use  of  /w/ is  old.  In  yElfric's 
Lives  of  Saints,  i,  242  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  1.  74,  we  find  :  "  buton  we  feowertig 
\>e  on  '5am  feohte  stodon." 

24   13.     it  luold  not  he.     Cf.  Baldwin,  293  (a). 

24  26.     woll.     For  the  form,  cf.  Baldwin,  200. 

25  2.  most  he  holdyng  to.  Cf.  /  am  beholden  to  them,  6.'?  11 ;  T  am 
moche  beholdyng  unto  hym,  63  17  ;  and  Kellner,  Blanch,  and  Egl., 
p.  Ixxii.  The  word  beholding  occurs  in  Marlowe's  Dr.  Faustus,  xii,  33  ; 
xiii,  15.     Cf.  Abbott's  Shak.  Gram.,  sec.  372. 

25  9.  senceall.  On  the  duties  of  the  seneschal,  see  Schultz,  Das 
hofische  Leben,  i,  204.  Seneschal  literally  means  old  servant.  In  the 
old  Frankish  monarchy  the  seneschal  was  a  person  of  great  importance. 
His  duties  ranged  from  the  supervision  of  the  royal  housekeeping  to 
the  exercise  of  judicial  authority.     Cf.  27  3. 

25  1.5.  Twelfth  Day.  The  twelfth  day  after  Christmas.  For  its 
importance  as  a  popular  festival,  see  Dyer's  British  Fop.  Customs,  pp. 
24-36. 

25  \h.  and  to  assay.  Kellner,  Blanch,  and  Egl.,  p.  Ixxxvn,  cites 
this  passage  as  an  instance  of  redundant  and.  Yet  cf.  Kaluza,  Engl. 
Stud.,  xxii,  285,  2S6. 


250  NOTES.  [Bk.  I,  Cap.  VL 

25  21.  Candehnas.  February  2,  the  fe.stival  of  the  Purification  of 
the  Virgin  Mary.  On  this  day  many  candles  were  burned  in  the 
churches  and  carried  lighted  in  procession.  See  Dyer's  British  Pop. 
Customs,  pp.  54-56. 

25  32.     there  were  some  .  .  .  had  iiidignacioti.     Cf.  in  a  chirche  they 
found  one  was  fair.     For  the   omission  of  the   relative,  see    Kellner, 

Blanch,  and  Egl.,  p.   xlv,  and  an  elaborate   paper  in  the  Anglia,  iii, 
1 15-150. 

26  1.  Pentecoste.  The  season  of  Pentecost  was  a  favorite  time  for 
feasts  in  the  Middle  Ages,  as  abundant  opportunity  was  then  afforded 
for  out-of-door  sports.  Cf.  Schultz,  Das  hofische  Leben,  i,  364.  In  The 
Four  Sons  of  Aymon,  part  i,  p.  16,  Charlemagne  keeps  a  solemn  feast 
in  Paris  after  his  return  from  Lombardy.  Another  Pentecost  feast  is 
described,  p.  59.  Cf.  also  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth's  Hist.  Reg.  Brit., 
ix,  13.  The  old  English  kings  used  to  hold  a  feast  and  wear  their 
crowns  in  state  at  Christmas,  Easter,  and  Pentecost.  "  Cf.  also  Child's 
Ballads,  part  ii,  p.  257."     K. 

26  16.  who  that  hoUieth.  Cf.  who  saith  nay,  28  24.  For  the  con- 
struction, see  Kellner,  Blanch,  and  Egl.,  pp.  xl,  xlv. 

26  23.  coronacyon.  On  the  importance  attached  in  the  Middle  Ages 
to  the  ceremony  of  coronation,  see  Freeman's  Norman  Conquest, 
Appendix,  note  H,  to  vol.  iii.  For  the  forms  of  the  ceremony,  see 
Schultz,  Das  hofische  Leben,  i,  643  seq. 

27  3-5.  sencial  ,  .  .  constable  .  .  .  chamberlayn.  These  three  offi- 
cials existed  in  the  Norman  Court.  "  The  High  Steward  or  Seneschal 
acted  as  supreme  official  in  the  royal  court ;  the  Chamberlain  was  the 
financial  officer  of  the  royal  household  -,  the  Constable  was  the  Quarter- 
master General  of  the  royal  army."     Johnson,  The  A'ormans  in  Europe, 

P-  235- 

27  12.     Round  Table.     According  to  Malory,  iii,  i,  Arthur  got  the 

Round  Table  as  a  wedding  gift  from  Guenever's  father,  Leodegraunce, 
who  had  received  it  from  Uther-pendragon.  In  xiv,  2,  we  are  told  that 
Merlin  made  the  Round  Table  in  tokening  of  the  roundness  of  the 
world,  and  ordained  the  Siege  Perilous.  The  prose  Merlin,  pp.  60,  61. 
gives  an  elaborate  account  of  its  origin.  See  also  the  French  prose 
Perceval,  published  by  Hucher  in  Le  Saint-Graal,  i,  418.  Geoffrey  of 
Monmouth  makes  no  reference  to  the  Round  Table,  which  is  first  men- 
tioned by  Wace.  The  two  lines  by  Wace  are  greatly  expanded  by 
Lasamon,  Brut,  11.  22,735-22,974.  For  the  possible  signification  of  the 
term  Round  Tabic,  see  Rhys's  Studies,  p.  g. 

27   11.     a  grctc  fcslc.      For  tlie  earliest  account  of  this  famous  feast 


Bk.  I,  Cap.  IX.]  NOTES.  251 

given  by  Arthur,  see  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth,  ix,  12-14.     For  the  form 
holdyn,  cf.  Baldwin,  188. 

27  15.  Carlyon.  The  prose  Merlin,  pp.  106-108,  puts  the  corona- 
tion and  the  feast  at  Logres  ;  but  the  feast  does  not  come  until  after  the 
middle  of  August. 

27  16-26.  The  names  of  the  kings  and  the  number  of  the  knights 
are  given  with  wide  variation  in  the  different  French  MSS.  of  the  prose 
Merlin.  "  The  kinge  of  Scotland  "  is  in  Geoffrey,  ix,  12,  called  Agusel ; 
in  the  Merlin,  p.  108,  Aguysas.  "  The  kyng  of  Cardos"  figures  in  the 
Merlin,  p.  108,  as  "  Carados  benbras,  that  was  kynge  of  the  londe  of 
Strangore." 

28  15.  Carlyon.  "  At  the  once  famous  city,  now  the  decayed  village 
of  Caerleon  upon  Usk,  —  the  /sea  Silurum  of  Antoninus,  where  the 
second  Augustan  Legion  was,  during  a  long  period,  in  garrison, —  are 
the  remains  of  a  Roman  amphitheatre  in  a  bank  of  earth  heaped  up  in 
an  oval  form  sixteen  feet  high,  and  now  also  called  Arthur's  Round 
Table."  J.  S.  Stuart  Glennie,  Arthurian  Localities,  p.  xxv.  The  con- 
dition of  Caerleon  in  the  12th  century,  when  the  Arthurian  romances 
were  writing,  is  described  by  Giraldus  Cambrensis,  Itinerarium  Cam- 
briae,  ch.  v. 

28  28.  moo  reames.  According  to  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth,  ix,  x, 
Arthur  subdues  not  only  Great  Britain,  but  Ireland,  Iceland,  Gothland, 
the  Orkneys,  Norway,  Dacia,  Gaul,  Aquitaine,  and  overcomes  Lucius, 
Emperor  of  Rome  ! 

28  30.     loitgli.     For  the  form,  see  Baldwin,  150. 

28  31.  a  wytche.  Cf.  Wyclif's  A'ew  Test.:  "But  there  was  a  man 
in  that  citee,  whos  name  was  Symount,  a  witche,"  Acts,  viii,  9.  Two 
O.  E.  words  melted  together  in  the  M.  E.  form  witche, —  the  O.  E. 
wicca  (m.)  wizard,  magician,  and  O.  E.  wicce  (f.)  witch. 

29  7.  jesseraiinte.  The  French  Merlin  describes  Arthur  as  having 
an  haberioun  desous  sa  cote.  The  jesseraunt  appears  to  have  been  an 
Algerian  form  of  the  hauberk.  The  common  explanation  is  that  it  was 
"  a  light  armour  composed  of  splints  or  small  plates  of  metal  riveted  to 
each  other,  or  to  a  lining  of  some  stout  material."  Fairholt,  Costuvie 
in  England,  ii,  260.  But  Schultz,  Das  hofische  Lebeu,  ii,  44,  remarks  : 
"  Im  Chanson  d'Antioche  (ii,  29)  heisst  es  klar  und  deutlich  :  'desront 
et  desmaille  tant  auberc  jaserant';  wenn  aber  der  Halsberc  desmaille 
genannt  werden  kann,  so  ist  er  auch  aus  mailles,  aus  Ringen  gefertigt." 
Cf.  also  Gautier,  note  to  Chanson  de  Roland,  1604. 

29  20.  though  ye  were  x  so  many.  Kellner,  Eng.  Syntax,  §  265, 
cites  several  instances  of  this  use  of  cardinal  numbers.  Cf.  Zupitza, 
Herrig's  Archiv,  Ixxxiv,  329. 


252  NOTES.  [Bk.  I,  Cap.  IX. 

29  22.  vanysshed  awcyc.  See  note  on  the  power  of  suddenly  vanish- 
ing away,  in  Ward's  ed.  of  Marlowe's  Dr.  Fatishis  (2d  ed.),  p.  178. 

29  27.  swerde  ye  had  by  myracle.  This  evidently  refers  to  the 
sword  drawn  from  the  stone  (p.  22).  Yet  on  p.  30  it  is  called  Excali- 
bur,  which,  however,  is  the  name  of  the  sword  given  to  Arthur  by  the 
Lady  of  the  Lake.     Cf.  pp.  45,  53. 

30  ]3.  it  gaf  light  lykc  xxx  torchys.  The  prose  Merlin,  p.  1 18, 
reads :  "  It  glistred  as  it  hadde  be  the  brightnesse  of  xx'i  tapres 
brennynge."  The  French,  still  more  modest,  reads,  "  doi  chierge." 
Cf.  Sommer,  Morte  Darthur,  iii,  36.  Very  common  in  the  romances 
are  references  to  stones  that  give  out  light,  especially  the  carbuncle. 
Cf.  Floris  Olid  Blanch.,  11.  174,  644  ;  The  Four  Sons  of  Aymon,  part  i, 
ch.  iii,  p.  75  ;  I/iton  of  Burdciix,  pp.  442,  455,  771  :  "  there  was  a  great 
light  in  the  Chamber  as  though  there  had  been  Thirtie  Torches  lighted 
by  reason  of  the  bright  stones  that  were  there,"  p.  780.  See  also 
Kolbing's  Sir  Beves  of  Haintoun,  p.  282.  The  transition  to  swords  that 
give  out  light  is  sufficiently  easy.  Surtr,  in  the  northern  mythology, 
has  a  flaming  sword.  Swords  that  give  out  light  are  mentioned  by 
Grimm,  Deutsche  Mythologie,  iii,  174.  Kolbing  quotes  in  the  notes  to 
Sir  Beves,  pp.  345,  346,  a  number  of  passages  in  which  the  battlefield 
is  described  as  shining  with  the  light  from  shields  and  helmets. 

30  21.  Bleysc.  A  visit  to  Bleyse  for  the  purpose  of  getting  him  to 
write  the  story  as  Merlin  relates  it  recurs  frequently  in  the  prose  Merlin, 
pp.  23,  32,  41,  46,  47,  53,  56,  81,  88,  97,  143,  etc.  Bleyse  is  the  hermit 
who  saves  Merlin's  mother  from  being  burnt,  pp.  13  seq.  For  the  pos- 
sible origin  of  Bleyse,  see  Kolbing,  note  to  Arthour  and  Merlin,  p.  cxiii. 

30  30.  dyd  .  .  .  do  wryle.  For  this  use  of  do,  see  Baldwin,  266 ; 
Kellner,  Blanch,  and  Egl.,  p.  liv. 

31  4.  disguysed.  Cf.  the  prose  Merlin,  p.  168:  "And  the  cherll 
hadde  on  grete  boysteis  shone  of  netes  leder,  and  was  clothed  in  cote 
and  hoode  of  rosset,  and  he  was  girde  with  a  thonge  of  a  blakke  shepes 
skyn ;  and  he  was  grete  and  longe,  and  blake  and  rowe  rympled." 

31   15.     grete  tresonr.     Cf.  Merlin,  pp.  168,  370. 

31  24.  erlys  daughter.  This  episode  is  somewhat  differently  related 
in  the  Merlin,  p.  171.  There  the  earl's  name  is  Sevain,  the  daughter's 
name  Lysanor,  and  the  son's  name  Hoot. 

31  31.     Ryence  of  Northen  Walys.     Cf.  47  7. 

31  32.  Lodegreance  of  Camylyard.  In  the  Merlin,  where  he  figures 
largely,  he  is  called  king  of  Carmelide  or  Tamelide,  p.  123. 

32  2.  Benzuyck.  In  the  prose  Merlin,  pp.  26,  124,  identified  with 
Bourges,  in  the  Department  of  Cher,  in  France.    Malory  himself  remarks, 


Bk.  I,  Cap.  XIX.]  NOTES.  253 

XX,  18  :  "  Somme  men  calle  it  Bayen  and  somme  men  calle  it  Beaume, 
where  the  wine  of  Beaume  is."     Cf.  also  Rhys's  Studies,  p-.  304. 

32  2.  that  were.  The  were  should  perhaps  be  toas,  and  that  should 
perhaps  refer  to  ordenatiiice  ;  but  the  passage  is  apparently  corrapt,  and 
I  can  bring  no  consistent  meaning  into  it. 

32  3.  In  the  Merlin  King  Claudas  is  the  bitterest  foe  of  King  Ban 
(pp.  124  seq.).    The  other  names  appear  in  the  Merlin,  slightly  disguised. 

32  7.     a  XX  M.     Cf.  Kellner,  Eng:  Syntax,  §  259. 

32  14.  the  fyrst  syght  of  Gwenever.  Cf.  the  prose  Merlin,  pp.  141, 
177,  210,  and  particularly  the  beautiful  passage,  pp.  225-229. 

32  15.  the  kynges  daughter  of  Camylyard^\}c\&  6.-3,\x^\.&coi  iV&Viwg 
of  C.  Cf.  "  a  knyghte  the  which  was  the  kynges  sone  of  Ireland  " ;  also 
Kellner,  Blanch,  and  Egl.,  p.  cviii. 

32  16.  weddyd.  The  account  in  the  Morte  Darthur  is  very  brief. 
See  iii,  i,  5.     The  prose  Merlin,  pp.  451-454,  is  much  more  detailed. 

Zl>  9.     Sorhaute.     For  this  name,  see  Rhys's  Studies,  pp.  324,  354. 

33  9.  within  kynge  Uryens,  i.e.,  within  his  jurisdiction.  For  other 
examples,  see  Baldwin,  356,  2. 

33  10-12.  they  .  .  .  hem  .  .  .  theyr  .  .  .  her.  The  nominative 
plural  is  always  they,  never  hi ;  the  genitive  plural  is  either  their(e), 
theyr{e),  or  her;  the  accusative  plural,  them,  theym,  hem.  Cf.  Bald- 
win, 54. 

2>2>  14.  Sarasyns.  The  term  Saracen  was  loosely  applied  in  the 
Middle  Ages  to  any  unbeliever  or  pagan.  For  example,  the  Emperor 
Trajan  is  called  a  Saracen  in  Piers  Flmvman  (B.  text),  xi,  150.  Fine 
distinctions  were  not  drawn  between  idolators  and  Mohammedans,  the 
Saracens  proper.  The  unbaptized  Palamydes  is  called  a  Saracen  in  the 
Morte  Darthur,  xii,  11,  12,  13.  For  the  etymology,  see  Skeat's  note  to 
Joseph  of  Aritnathie,  p.  55.  For  the  wide  application  of  the  word,  cf. 
Wissmann,  Anglia,  iv,  383,  384. 

33  25.     Idres.     Cf.  the  account  in  the  prose  Merlin,  pp.  176  seq. 

33  28.      Wyndesan.       Called    Wydesante    in    the    prose    Merlin,    p. 

177,  q.  V. 

34  3.  a  myghty  man  of  men.  Cf.  the  description  of  Rion  in  the 
prose  Merlin,  p.  339 :  "  He  was  xiiij  foote  of  lengthe,  and  half  a  palme 
be-twene  his  browes,  and  was  grete  and  lene  and  full  of  veynes  and  of 
senewes,  and  was  also  so  grym  a  figure  that  he  was  dredefull  for  to 
be-holde." 

34  11-12.  cam  to  hym  kyng  Lots  wyf  of  Orkeney.  According  to  the 
version  in  the  Merlin,  pp.  1 79-181,  she  came  with  Lot  just  after  Uther's 
death,  before  Arthur  was  chosen  king.     Geoffrey  of  Monmouth,  i.x,  9, 


254  NOTES.  [Bk.  I,  Cap.  XIX. 

regards  Mordred  (Modred)  as  the  legitimate  son  of  King  Lot.  In 
Lovelich's  Holy  Grail,  cli.  52,  1.  1149,  Mordred  is  said  to  be  the  son  of 
Arthur  and  his  sister,  but  Arthur  imagined  her  to  be  the  "  Maiden  of 
Ireland."  Rhys  gives  a  mythological  interpretation  to  the  story  of  Mor- 
dred's  origin,  and  draws  several  parallels,  Studies  (Index),  and  particu- 
larly p.  38. 

34  19.  oil  the  f/ioder  syde  Igrayne.  For  the  genitive,  see  Baldwin, 
22  (c).     For  the  genitive  form  nioder,  Baldwin,  10  (c). 

34  22.  drente.  Cf.  this  dream  with  that  on  p.  217.  For  the  whole 
subject  of  dreams  in  the  Arthurian  romances,  see  Mentz,  Die  Trdunie 
in  den  altfranzdsischen  A'a?-ls-  ttnd  Artus-Epen,  Marburg,  1888;  also 
Kolbing's  note  to  Sir  Beves  of  //anitonn,  p.  340,  and  Skeat's  note  to 
Piers  Plowman,  part  iv,  p.  197. 

34  25.  Hym  thought  =  it  seemed  to  him.  Thought  has  nothing  to 
do  with  the  verb  to  think,  O.  E.  'S^ncean,  but  is  from  O.  E.  ^yneean,  to 
seem.  The  forms  were  early  confused.  For  the  construction  with  the 
dative,  see  Wiilfing,  Die  Syntax  in  den  IVerken  Alfreds  des  Grossen, 
p.  106,  and  Baldwin,  312. 

35  14.  the  straungest  best.  Rhys,  Studies,  pp.  154,  155,  attempts  an 
explanation  of  this  beast,  comparing  it  with  the  cropped  sow  of  Welsh 
tradition,  and  pointing  out  the  parallel  between  the  barking  of  the  beast 
and  the  barking  of  Cerberus.  ...  "  On  Welsh  ground,"  he  adds,  "  we 
should  recognize  Pellinore  and  his  monster  as  another  version  of  Gwyn 
ab  Nud',  king  of  the  other  world,  hunting  with  his  fierce  hound." 

35  17.     XXX  coupyl  houndes.     For  the  construction,  see  Baldwin,  16. 
35  34.     after  his  deth.     Cf.  p.  65. 

35  34.  Palaniydes  folowed  it.  "  And  this  meane  whyle  there  came 
Sire  Palomydes  the  good  knyght  folowynge  the  questynge  beest,  that 
hadde  in  shap  a  hede  lyke  a  serpentes  hede,  and  a  body  lyke  a  lybard, 
buttocks  lyke  a  lyon,  and  foted  lyke  an  herte  ;  and  in  his  body  there 
was  suche  a  noyse  as  hit  had  ben  the  noyse  of  thyrtty  coupel  of  houwdes 
questyng,  and  suche  a  noyse  that  beest  made  where  somever  he  wente. 
And  this  beest  evermore  Syr  Palomydes  folowed,  for  hit  was  called  his 
quest."     Morte  Darthnr,  ix,  12  ;  cf.  also,  x,  63. 

36  15.  lyke  a  child.  Merlin  was  fond  of  appearing  in  the  disguise 
of  a  child  or  of  an  old  man.  Cf.  the  prose  romance,  pp.  47,  48,  72,  73, 
74,  261,  308,  615,  622,  etc. 

36  21.  to  take  thought  =^  to  be  anxious.  Cf.  Trench,  Eng.  Past  and 
Present,  p.  304. 

37  17.  yoiire  body  to  be pnnysshed.  For  the  construction,  see  Bald- 
win, 242  ;  Kellner,  Blanch,  and  Egl.,  p.  Ixx. 


Bk.  I,  Cap.  XXII.]  NOTES.  255 

37  19.  to  be  ptit  in  the  erthe  quyck  (alive).  Cf.  Morte  Darthur,  iv,  i. 
The  account  in  the  prose  Merlin  is  very  different  and  much  more  beau- 
tiful (pp.  68o,  68i).  Tennyson's  Merlin  and  Vivien  presents  a  version 
unlike  either  of  these  two,  and  largely  the  work  of  his  own 
imagination. 

38  6.  my  glove.  "  Le  gant  etait  surtout  employe  comme  symbole. 
Jeter  son  gant,  c'etait  provocation  ;  le  presenter,  c'etait  soumission." 
Quoted  by  Gautier,  Chanson  de  Rolatid,  1.  281.  Mellyagraunce  defies 
Launcelot  with  his  glove,  Morte  Darthur,  xix,  7. 

38  21.  /  may  notfyghte.  Yet  the  conception  was  not  very  strange 
to  the  Middle  Ages.  Cf.  Brunhilde  in  the  Nibehingenlied,  Joan  of  Arc, 
etc.  Historical  instances  are  cited  by  Schultz,  Das  hofische  Leben, 
11,  173.  For  the  judicial  combat,  or  wager  of  battle,  cf.  further  Free- 
man, Norman  Conquest,  v,  327  ;  Schultz,  ii,  172;  Lea,  Superstition  and 
Force ;  Neilson,  Trial  by  Combat.  Perhaps  the  most  famous  instance 
In  England  is  the  judicial  duel  between  the  Duke  of  Hereford  and  the 
Duke  of  Norfolk  on  Sept.  16,  1398.  Cf.  Shakespeare's  Richard II,  i,  3. 
The  meaning  of  appealing  for  treason  is  explained,  Morte  Darthur, 
viii,  20.     Cf.  also  Lovelich's  Holy  Grail,  ch.  52. 

39  10.  feest  that  lasted  eyght  dayes.  Cf.  211  8.  Long  feasts  are 
very  common  In  the  romances  and  folk-tales.  Reynawde's  wedding 
feast  lasts  eight  days.  The  Foure  Sons  of  Aymon,  part  1,  p.  154;  so,  too, 
does  the  feast  at  the  marriage  of  Paris  and  Helen,  Destruction  of  Troy, 
1.  3466.  Arthur's  Christmas  feast  at  Carlylele  lasts  ten  days,  Huchown's 
Morte  Arthtire,  11.  64-73.  Feasts  lasting  a  fortnight  occur  in  Amis  and 
Amiloun,\\.  100,  433;  m.  Sir  EgLimour,  1.  1332;  in  Torrent  of  Portyn- 
gale,  1.  435  ;  in  The  King  of  Tars,  1.  559  {Etiglische  Stud.,  xi,  46). 
Feasts  of  fifteen  days,  William  of  Palerne,  1.  5352  ;  Sir  Gawayne  and 
the  Green  Knight,  1.  44.  Feast  of  twenty  days,  Blanch,  attd  Fgl.,  p.  211. 
Feast  of  a  month,  William  of  Palerne,  1.  5074.  Feast  of  forty  days, 
Havelok,\\.  2344,2950;  Libeaus  Desconus.W.  1048,2221.  In  Jacobs's 
Celtic  Fairy  Tales,  p.  177,  a  wedding  feast  lasts  a  year  and  a  day.  Cf. 
also  Kolbing,  note  to  Sir  Beves  of  Hamtoun,  p.  235,  and  to  Amis  and 
Amiloun,  p.  231  ;   Schultz,  Das  hofische  Leben,  i,  363-368. 

39  20.  a  squyer.  A  squire  was  a  young  man  who  was  passing 
through  the  various  grades  of  service  leading  to  knighthood.  He 
attended  his  knight,  wore  spurs  of  silver  instead  of  gold,  and  wore  a 
sword,  but  not  the  belt,  of  a  knight.  For  many  curious  details,  see 
Schultz,  Das  hofische  Leben,  i,  179  seq. 

40  2.  strengyst.  "  -yst  for  -est  in  the  superlative  occurs  very 
rarely."     Baldwin,  33. 


256  NOTES.  [Bk.  I,  Cap.  XXII. 

40  18.  sinote  on  the  sheld.  This  form  of  challenge  recurs,  vi,  2,  lo; 
viii,  19.  "  Im  Felde  hiingt  man  die  Schilde  vor  die  Zelte  ;  man  stellt 
auch  die  der  Kampflustigen  aus  und  iiberlasst  es  dem  Fremden,  einen 
zu  berlihren  und  so  dessen  llerrn  herauszufordern."  Schultz,  Das 
hofische  Leben,  ii,  97.  As  an  historical  instance  of  this  form  of  challenge 
Professor  Kittredge  cites  the  joust  at  St.  Ingelbert  described  by 
Froissart,  ed.  Kervyn  de  Lettenhove,  xiv,  108  ff. 

40  26.  that  is  me  loth.  For  the  dative,  see  Kellner,  Blanch,  and 
Egl.,  p.  xliv. 

40  29.  to  shevered.  The  to  is  equivalent  of  the  German  zer  (=  ent- 
zwei,  auseuiander),  and  is  found  in  a  score  of  compound  verbs,  —  to- 
breke,  to-breste,  to-cleve,  to-?-ende,  to-scatere,  etc.  Skeat  comments  in  his 
Chaucer,  v.  229,  on  the  verbs  compounded  with  to,  and  is  corrected  in 
some  points  by  Kaluza,  Engl.  Stndien,  xxii,  285,  286. 

41  10-20.  This  very  singular  story  first  appears  in  Geoffrey  of  Mon- 
mouth, ix,  15  seq.  It  is  variously  told  in  the  Arthurian  romances,  in 
the  prose  Merlin,  pp.  639  seq.,  in  Huchown's  Morte  Arthure,  etc. 
Malory's  version  is  found  in  Bk.  v. 

41  19.     7ny  faders  sotile,  Utherpendragoti.     Cf.  34  19. 

42  7.  to  the  deth  ward.  Cf.  160  27.  Ward  is  to  be  construed  with 
to.  Cf.  Baldwin,  52  (f)  (i).  Note  also  :  "bysmorlice  flugon  to  heora 
lande  weard,"  .^Ifric's  Judith,  1.  371.  Numerous  examples  occur  in 
Caxton's  Reynard  the  Fox.  Sidney  writes  in  his  Arcadia,  Bk.  ii,  p.  186 
(ed.  of  1598)  :  "  unfortunately  borne  to  me  wards." 

42  34.  /  assente  me.  Kellner,  referring  to  this  passage,  remarks  : 
"  There  are  a  few  verbs  used  reflexively  which  seem  to  be  mere  transla- 
tions from  the  French."  Blanch,  and  Egl.,  p.  liii.  This  explanation  does 
not  apply  to  this  passage.  Cf.  Huth  Merlin,  i,  190.  For  a  list  of  other 
reflexive  verbs  in  Malory,  see  Baldwin,  313  (a). 

43  1.     every  knight  =^e2Lch  knight. 

43  7.  the  honour.  For  this  use  of  the,  cf.  Kellner,  Blanch,  and 
Egl.,  p.  xxvii. 

43  12.  he  to  be  on  horsbak  and  he  on  foot.  For  the  construction,  cf. 
Baldwin,  250  ;  Kellner,  Blanch,  and  Egl.,  p.  Ixix.  Tristram  shows  the 
same  courtesy  to  Blamor  de  Ganis,  Morte  Darthur,  viii,  22.  In  Amis 
and  Amiloun,  11.  1330  seq.,  Aniiloun  kills  the  horse  of  the  steward  with 
whom  he  is  fighting,  and  himself  dismounts  so  as  to  fight  on  equal 
terms.  Similar  incidents  occur,  Blanch,  and  Egl.,  p.  27,  Caxton's  Lif 
of  Charles  the  Crete,  p.  70.  Courtesy  on  a  larger  scale  is  pushed  so  far 
in  Lancelot  of  the  Laik,  11.  651-768,  that  Galiot,  who  invades  Arthur's 
territory  with  100,000  men,  uses  only  10,000  of  them  to  fight  Arthur's 


Bk.  I,  Cap.  XXV.]  NOTES.  257 

army  of   10,000  men.       For  other   courtesies,    see    Lif  of  Charles  the 
Crete,  p.  58 ;  Libeaus  Desconus,  1.  355,  and  Kaluza's  note. 

43  15.     the  cantels  flewe.     Cf.  : 

Of  Florentys  scheld  a  kantell 
He  cleft  don  ri3t. 

Oct  avian,  1.  11 13. 

See  also  Libeaus  Desconus,  1.  370,  and  Kaluza's   note ;    N.  E.  D.,  s.  v 
cantle. 

44  8.  cast  ail  enchauntement.  In  the  prose  Merlin  (pp.  607,  608), 
the  enchanter  puts  to  sleep  the  entire  household  of  Agravadain,  when 
Ban  and  Bors  are  on  their  way  home. 

44  15.     care  ye  not,  i.e.,  be  not  anxious. 

44  17.     what  a  knyghte  =^  whdii  sort  of  knight.     Cf.  Baldwin,  97  (a). 

44  19.  than  he  is  one.  Cf.  65  9,  and  Kellner,  Blanch,  and  Egl., 
p.  xxviii. 

44  21.     Pellinore.     See  Rhys,  Studies,  especially  pp.  297,  298. 

44  22.     save  one.     Probably  an  allusion  to  Galahad. 

44  24.  Persyval  of  IValys.  For  the  significance  of  this  great  hero 
of  the  Grail  legends,  see  Rhys's  Studies,  chs.  iv,  v,  vi,  and  Nutt's 
Studies  (Index). 

44  24.  Lamerak  of  Walls.  For  his  exploits,  see  Morte  Dartkur, 
Bks.  viii.  x.     In  vii,  9,  he  is  ranked  with  Tristram  and  Launcelot. 

44  26.     destruction  of  alle  this  royanie.     Cf.  Bk.  xxi. 

44  28.  untyl  an  ermyte.  Cf.  Baldwin,  353.  Skeat  has  a  good  note 
on  hermits,  Piers  Plowman  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  part  iv,  sec.  i,  p.  lo.  Cf. 
]uss,ex3,r\6.^s  English  Wayfaring  Life  in  the  Fourteenth  Century,  pp.  137, 
138,  140-T43. 

45  8.  an  arme  clothed  in  whyte  samyte.  Cf.  224  19.  For  samite, 
see  Schultz,  Das  hdfische  Leben,  i,  343.  The  other  story  about  Arthur's 
getting  Excallbur  has  been  related.  Cf.  pp.  30,  53.  The  contradiction 
is  evident. 

45  12.  Lady  of  the  Lake.  In  commenting  upon  Morgan  le  Fay, 
Rhys,  Studies,  p.  348,  remarks  :  ''  In  a  word,  she  is  viewed  at  one  time 
as  kind  and  benevolent  and  at  another  as  hostile  and  truculent.  The 
same  sort  of  remark  applies  to  the  same  sort  of  person  under  the  name 
of  the  Lady  of  the  Lake,  of  whose  figure  Malory  gives,  so  to  say,  widely 
different  views.  Accordingly,  one  Lady  of  the  Lake  sends  Arthur  the 
sword  Excalibur  and  asks  for  Balyn's  head  in  return  for  it  [ii,  3] ; 
another  Lady  of  the  Lake  confines  Merlin  in  his  stone  prison  [iv,  5]  ; 
a  third,   Nyneue,  busies  herself  about  Arthur's  safety  [ix,   16];  and  a 


46 

6. 

p- 

XV. 

46 

19. 

win,  96. 

46 

21. 

46 

24. 

258  NOTES.  [Bk.  I,  Cai>.  XXV. 

fourth  about  that  of  Launcelot  [xix,  11].  They  may  all  be  taken  as 
different  aspects  of  the  one  mythic  figure,  the  lake  lady  Morgen.  The 
name  Morgen  means  the  offspring  of  the  sea." 

45  22.  a  yefte.  A  promise  of  a  gift  carte  blanche  is  very  common  in 
the  mediaeval  romances;  cf.  Alorte  Da>thur,\'n,  1  ;  viii,  2,  15,  30;  Wars 
0/ Alexander,  1.  1669  ;  Komance  of  Partliettay,\.  5448  ;  Gesta  Rotnanorum 
(E.  E.  T.  S.),  p.  153 ;  Tristrams  Saga  og  Isondar,  ch.  49  ;  The  Boy  and 
the  Mantle  \n  Child's  Ballads,  ii,  258.  The  instances  of  Esther  and  of 
Herodias  will  occur  to  every  reader. 

45  25.  rowe your  self.  In  the  Huth  Merlin,  i,  198,  the  Lady  of  the 
Lake  herself  gets  the  sword  for  Arthur  by  going  dry-shod  across  the 
water. 

Carlyon.     Cf.  Strachey's  Introd.  to  Malory's  Morte  Darthur, 

whether  lyketh  yow  better,  i.e.,  which  of  the  two?     Cf.  Bald- 

me  lyketh  better.     Cf.  Kellner,  Blanch,  and  Egl.,  p.  xlviii. 

lese  no  blood.  Cf.  66  30,  125  14.  The  virtue  of  preserv- 
ing the  wearer  from  various  physical  ills  is  attributed  to  certain  stones 
in  the  old  Lapidaries.  Cf.  Pannier,  Lcs  La  fid  aires  Frangais,  Paris,  1882 ; 
see  also  Child's  Ballads,  i,  201. 

46  25.  A'epe  wel  the  scaubard.  Morgan  le  Fay  steals  Excalibur  with 
the  scabbard,  and  thereby  nearly  causes  Arthur's  death.  Cf.  Bk.  iv, 
7-1 1.  Afterwards  (iv,  14)  she  steals  the  scabbard  and  throws  it  into 
a  lake. 

47  2.     a/w/^=alone.     Cf.  N.  E.  D. 

47  7.  of  all  Ireland  and  of  many  lies.  In  the  prose  Merlin  he  is 
called  "  kynge  of  the  londe  of  Geauntes  and  of  the  londe  of  pastures," 
p.  114;  of  the  "  lynage  of  Geauntes,"  p.  141 ;  king  of  "  Irelonde,"  p.  175 ; 
king  of  "  Denemarke  and  of  Iselonde,"  p.  327  ;  of  the  "  yles,"  p.  619  ;  lord 
of  all  the  West,  p.  620. 

47  9.     in  this  tnatiere  wyse.     Cf.  Baldwin,  24  (a). 

47  12.    flayne.     For  the  form,  see  Baldwin,  150. 

47  14.  purfyled  a  mantel  with  kynges  berdes.  This  singular  story 
appears,  with  a  different  setting,  in  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth,  x,  3  (San- 
Marte).  Arthur,  after  overcoming  the  Giant  of  Mt.  St.  Michel,  says 
that  he  had  found  none  so  strong  since  he  had  killed  the  giant  Ritho  on 
Mt.  Aravius.  In  the  account  in  the  Merlin,  p.  649,  of  the  fight  with  the 
Giant,  we  read  that  "never  hadde  thei  seyn  so  grete  a  feende,"  but  we 
find  no  mention  of  Ritho.     Cf.  the  version  in  Malory,  v,  5. 

According  to  Geoffrey  :  "  Hie  [Ritho]  namque  ex  barbis  regum  quos 


Bk.  I,  Cai'.  XXVHL]  NOTES.  259 

peremerat,  fecerat  sibi  pelles,  et  mandaverat  Arturo  ut  barbam  suain 
diligenter  excoriaret,  atque  excoriatam  sibi  dirigeret ;  ut  quemadniodurr 
ipse  caeteris  praeerat  regibus,  ita  quoque  in  honorem  eius  caetens 
barbis  ipsam  superponerat,"  etc.  The  story  of  the  beards  is  told 
twice  (not  alike)  in  the  prose  yI/<?r//'«,  pp.  115,  619,  620.  San-Marte 
points  out  Celtic  versions  in  his  notes  to  Geoffrey's  Hist.,  pp.  402-405, 
and  in  his  Beitrdge  zur  bretoiiischen  .  .  .  Heldensage,  p.  60.  For  the 
role  of  Rion  in  the  Huth  MerUii,  see  G.  Paris,  Introd.,  i,  p.  Ixvi.  Cf. 
also  Lasamon's  Brut,  11.  26,122  seq.  and  Madden's  note,  iii,  p.  397, 
Dunlop's  Hist,  of  Fiction  (18SS),  i,  224. 

48  11.  all  were  put  in  a  ship  to  the  see.  This  incident  is  related  in 
the  Huth  Merlin,  i,  204-210,  but  somewhat  differently.  The  English 
prose  Merlin  gives  interesting  details  about  Mordred,  but  entirely  omits 
this  story.  This  motive  is  very  old,  and  appears  in  the  story  of  Danae, 
who  was  set  afloat  in  a  chest  by  Acrisius,  in  the  story  of  Romulus  and 
Remus,  etc.  As  an  incident  of  mediaeval  literature  it  is  found  in  one 
form  or  another  in  the  following  pieces  :  Early  Sottth  Eng.  Legendary, 
p.  466;  Guigemar  in  the  Lais  of  Marie  de  France,  11.  619  seq.;  A'^ing 
Horn,  11.  103  seq. ;  Hartmann  von  Aue,  Greg07'ius,  11.  595  seq. ;  Chaucer, 
Man  of  Lawes  Tale,  11.  341  seq.  (cf.  also  Originals  and  Analogues, 
vol.  i,  Chaucer  Soc.)  ;  Sir  Eglavionr,  11.  803  seq. ;  Torrent  of  Portyngale, 
11.  1807-1848,  2128-2147  ;  the  ballad  of  Edward  {k.).  Child's  Ballads, 
I,  169,  and  of  Lizie  IVan,  Ibid.,  ii,  448.  See  also  in  Grimm's  Hausmdr- 
chen  No.  16,  Die  drei  Schlangenbldtter  ;  No.  20,  Das  tapfere  Schneider- 
lein.  In  Jacobs's  Celtic  Fairy  Tales,  p.  [80,  Trembling  is  sent  out  to 
sea  with  provisions  for  seven  years.  Ilahn,  Sagtvissenscliaftliclie  Stu- 
dien,  p.  331,  cites  the  instance  of  the  drowning  of  Reginbald  in  the  T'hid- 
reksaga.  An  interesting  modern  parallel  is  afforded  by  Macaulay,  Hist.  0/ 
England,  iv,  159:  "The  inhal)itants  of  Eigg  seized  some  Macleods, 
bound  them  hand  and  foot,  and  turned  them  adrift  to  be  swallowed  up 
by  the  waves  or  to  perish  of  hunger."  Cf.  also  Gummere,  Germanic 
Origins,  p.  190. 

48  1.5.  Mordred  was  cast  up.  The  story  of  the  preservation  of 
Mordred  falls  under  the  "  Prophecy  Fulfilled"  type  of  folk-tales.  See 
Gomme's  Handbook  of  Folklore,  p.  128.  Cf.  also  Hartmann  von  Aue's 
Gregorius,  11.  751-1102. 

48  17.  as  it  reherceth  afterward.  This  is  not  "  reherced  afterward  " 
in  Malory.  When  Mordred  again  appears  as  a  knight  we  learn  nothing 
of  how  he  gets  to  court. 

48  21.     what.      Cf.  Baldwin,  106  (a). 


260  NOTES.  [Bk.  II,  Cap.  I. 

BOOK    II.J 
Source. 

Book  II  is  very  loosely  joinetl  to  the  preceding  book.  The 
introduction  would  almost  imply  an  independent  narrative.  The 
source  is  one  of  the  continuations  of  the  Merlin,  and  is  preserved 
only  in  the  Huth  MS.  of  London.  This  is  printed  in  the  Merlin 
edited  for  the  Societe  des  Anciens  Textes  P>angais,  by  G.  Paris 
and  J.  Ulrich,  2  vols.,  Paris,  1886.  '  Sommer,  iii,  70-97,  makes  a 
detailed  comparison  of  Malory's  text  with  the  French,  and  points 
out  the  passages  in  which  Malory  condenses  or  otherwise  changes 
his  original.      Malory's  additions  are  slight. 

49  13.  hte  make  a  crye  .  .  .  shold  drawe.  For  the  loose  sequence, 
see  16  6,  and  Baldwin,  263. 

49  15.  Catnelot.  Cf.  SO  IG.  Strachey  points  out  in  his  Introduction 
to  the  Morte  Darthnr,  pp.  xv-xviii,  that  in  spite  of  the  identification 
with  Winchester,  Camelot  here  seems  to  be  connected  with  Avelion  or 
Glastonbury.  "  Camelot  itself  existed,"  in  the  time  of  Malory  and 
Caxton,  "in  Somersetshire  with  its  proper  name,  and  with  all  the 
remains  of  an  important  town  and  fortress,  and,  doubtless,  the  traditions 
of  Arthur  which  Leland  found  there,  and  which  in  great  part  at  least 
remain  to  this  day." 

49  25.    gyrd.     The  iorm  gyrte  also  occurs.     Cf.  Baldwin,  166. 

50  6.  a  knyghte  that  liatli  all  these  vertiies.  The  various  tests  for 
chastity  cited  by  Child,  Ballads,  ii,  257,  in  his  Preface  to  The  Boy  and 
the  Mantle,  parallel  in  a  general  way  the  tests  imposed  here.  The 
virtue  test  is  a  favorite  one  in  the  romances.     Cf.  Bks.  xiii,  xvii. 

50  7.     at  kytig  Kyons.     See  Baldwin,  324  (2). 

SO  15.  other.  For  the  use  of  other  without  the  article,  see  Bald- 
win, 125. 

50  17.  wold  not  oiite  =  would  not  come  out.  For  the  omission  of 
the  verb  of  motion,  see  Kellner,  Eng.  Syntax,  §  83. 

50  18.  ye  nede  not.  Note  the  personal  construction  withj^  in  place 
of  the  older  impersonal  construction.     Cf.  Baldwin,  312  (a). 

1  This  book  is  of  especial  interest  to  the  student  of  modern  English  literature 
as  being  the  source  of  Tennyson's  Balin  and  Balan  (1885)  and  of  Swinburne's 
Tale  of  Balen  (1S96).  Swinburne  follows  his  original  with  remarkable  fidelity; 
Tennyson  allows  himself  more  freedom. 


Bk.  II,  Cap.  III.]  NOTES.  261 

50  19.     shall.     For  this  use  of  sliall,  ci.  Baldwin,  282,  3  (a). 

51  5.  Balt^n  [=^  Balyn].  "In  Balyn  one  readily  recognizes  Geof- 
frey's Belinus  [//I'st.  A'e^.  Brit.,  iii,  3,  5,  6,  8,  10],  whose  name  repre- 
sents the  Celtic  divinity  described  in  Latin  as  Apollo  Belenus  or  Belinus. 
With  this  key  one  at  once  comprehends  how  it  was  that,  according  to 
Geoffrey,  he  had  a  brother  Brennius,  that  is  to  say.  Bran,  King  of  Brit- 
ain from  the  Humber  to  Caithness.  The  latter  is  represented  as  being 
at  war  with  Belinus  and  driven  by  him  into  exile,  which  gave  Geoffrey 
a  welcome  opportunity  of  identifying  his  mythic  Bran  with  the  Gaulish 
leader  Brennus.  Thus  it  is  seen  that  Belinus  or  Balyn  was,  mythologi- 
cally  speaking,  the  natural  enemy  of  the  dark  divinity  Bran  or  Balan, 
and  so  he  was  of  Peleur  or  Pellam."     Rhys,  Studies,  pp.  119,  120. 

51  11.  he  put  hyvi  not  feyre  in  prees,  i.e.,  he  did  not  put  himself  far 
forward  in  the  crowd. 

51  24.  it  seineth  not yow  to  spede.  For  the  construction,  see  Kellner, 
Blanch,  and  Egl.,  p.  Ixx  ;   Baldwin,  242. 

51  28.  mans  persone.  For  the  variety  of  meanings  taken  on  by  the 
viO\A  person  in  its  development,  see  Max  Miiller's  Biog.  of  Words  and  the 
Home  of  the  Aryans,  pp.  32-47.  "  Cf.  the  common  M.  Eng.  mannes 
creature,  e.g.,  Gower,  C.  A.,  Bk.  vii,  Pauli,  iii,  272."     K. 

S3   17.     a  yefte  that  he  promyscd  her.     Cf.  p-  45- 

53  21.  Excalibur,  that  is  as  much  to  say  as.  Cut  stele.  For  the  con- 
fusion of  this  sword  with  the  one  drawn  from  the  stone,  cf.  45  8.  In 
the  prose  Merlin,  p.  118,  the  Lady  of  the  Lake  does  not  provide  the 
sword.  We  are  told  :  "  And  it  was  the  same  swerde  that  he  toke  oute 
of  the  ston  ;  and  the  letteres  that  were  write  on  the  swerde  seide  that 
the  right  name  was  cleped  Escalibourc,  whiche  is  a  name  in  ebrewe,  that 
is  to  sey  in  englissh,  kyttynge  Iren,  tymber,  and  steill."  The  form 
Calibourne  is  also  common  in  the  Merlin.  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth, 
ix,  4,  1 1  ;  X,  II,  calls  it  Caliburnus.  The  short  verse  romance  of 
Arthur  (ed.  Furnivall,  E.  E.  T.  S.,  No.  2)  calls  Arthur's  sword  Broun- 
stelle,  11.  96,  97.  Swords  with  names  are  common  in  the  Icelandic  sagas, 
in  the  French  romances,  etc.  Galatyn  is  the  name  of  Gawayn's  sword, 
Sommer's  Morte  Darthur,  i,  p.  176.  "  Enchanted  swords  are  common 
in  romance.  Even  in  classical  times  we  have  the  Styx-dipped  sword  of 
Turnus,  and  that  of  Hannibal  {Sil.  Ital.,  i,  429),  which  old  Temisus  had 
made  in  an  enchanted  fire."  Kitchin,  note  to  Faery  Queetie,  Bk.  ii, 
C.  viii,  19.  See  also  note  to  I/uoii  of  Burdeux  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  pp.  810,  81 1, 
and  Jacobs's  List  of  Incidents.  Zimmer  points  out  in  an  important 
article  in  the  Zeitsehrift  fiir  fram.  Sprache  tmd  Lit.,  xii,  235-237,  that 
the  Caliburnus  of  Geoffrey  is  identical  with  the  celebrated  sword  of 


262  NOTES.  [Bk.  II,  Cap.  III. 

Irish  legend,  Caladbolg  (Welsh  Caletvwlch).  Cf.  also  Madden's  note  to 
La3amon's  Bntt,  1.  21,137.  "  For  long  lists  of  famous  swords,  etc.,  see 
Reiffenberg's  Introd.  to  Le  Chevalier  an  Cygne,  i,  pp.  ci  ff."     K. 

.S3  26.  I  take  no  force  though  ^\t  m2iii&K?,  Xiot  though.  Cf.  Skeat's 
Chaucer,  v,  265. 

54  4.  whan  it  was  told  hym.  Cf.  "  And  whan  it  was  told  the  kynges 
that  there  were  come  messagers,"  Sommer's  Morte  Darthicr,  i,  48  37. 
Kellner,  Blanch,  and  Egl.,  p.  Iv. 

54  29.     most foo  =  gTe2i.\.esi  foe.     Cf.  Baldwin,  48  (b). 

54  32.  for  to  displease  kyng  Arthur.  Cf.  KeWner,  Blanch,  and  Egl., 
p.  Ivx  ;  Baldwin,  248. 

55  10.     the  kynges  sone  of  Ireland.     Cf.  32  15. 

55  14.     tnore  of  pro'wesse,  i.e.,  of  greater  prowess. 

57  14.  to  slee  a  lady.  The  oath  of  a  knight  required  him  to  defend 
ladies  in  peril. 

57  20.  ferysshed,  and  so  percyd.  These  two  verbs  were  often  con- 
fused in  Middle  English.  Cf.  Kaluza's  note  to  Libeaus  Desconus,  1.  1229, 
and  a  note  to  Gesta  Rom.  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  p.  454. 

57  26.  that  came  ride.  This  use  of  the  infinitive  ride  with  came  is 
not  uncommon  in  Old  and  Middle  English.  In  modern  English  the 
infinitive  has  been  replaced  by  the  present  participle.  For  other 
examples,  see  Kaluza's  note  to  Libeaus  Desconus,  1.  118,  where  are 
cited,  com  ride,  com-  prike,  come  flinge,  etc. 

57  30.  lost  =  xmx\ed.,  destroyed.  Lost  has  here  a  causative  sen.se. 
Cf.  Kellner,  Blanch,  and  Egl.,  p.  lii.  The  French  reads  :  "  deus  ames 
feres  perdre  pour  une."     Iluth  Merlin,  i,  227. 

58  5.    sholde  have  hitrte  her.    For  the  subjunctive,  see  Baldwin,  211. 
58  6.     rofe  her  self  thorow  the  body.     Cf.  the  death  of  Garnysshe, 

75  24.  In  Blanch,  and  Egl.  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  p.  30,  a  lady  dies  of  grief  on 
finding  her  lover  dead.  When  Troilus  thinks  Criseyde  to  be  dead  he 
draws  his  sword  to  kill  himself.  Chaucer's  Troilus  and  Criseyde,  iv, 
ii85seq.  Professor  Kittredge  calls  attention  to  the  well-known  story 
of  Pyramus  and  Thisbe. 

58  7.  dedes.  It  is  possible  that  dedes  (deeds)  is  a  misprint  for  dede 
(dead),  but  neither  the  various  readings  nor  the  French  original  give 
any  clue. 

58  19.  betwixe.  The  form  betwixt  occurs,  60  10.  Other  examples 
of  excrescent  t  are  found  in  agains-t,  behes-t,  mids-t,  luhils-t.  See  Skeat, 
Prin.  of  Eng.  Etym.,  first  series,  p.  367. 

58  19.  a)id.  One  is  tempted  to  read  out  for  and.  A  printer  might 
easily  mistake  one  for  the  other  if  the  author  had  not  crossed  the  /  clearly. 


Bk.  II,  Cap.  VIIL]  NOTES.  263 

58  20.  a  man  told  me  .  .  .  and  that  7nan  had  sene  you.  Kellner, 
Blanch,  and  Egl.,  p.  xlvii,  regards  the  second  man  as  the  indefinite  pro- 
noun. Baldwin,  p.  20,  note,  questions  this  and  remarks:  "  That  before 
the  second  ;«<?«  may  be  a  demonstrative,  in  which  case  the  second  man 
would  have  the  same  sense  as  the  first."  The  English  rendering  is  not 
very  clear,  but  there  is  no  doubt  as  to  what  the  translator  was  trying  to 
express.  The  French  reads :  "  on  me  dist  au  chastiel  de[s]  quatre 
perrieres  que  vous  esties  delivres,  et  que  on  vous  avoit  veut  a  la  cour 
le  roi  Artus."     Huth  Merlin,  i,  228. 

59  5.  catn  a  dwarf.  The  dwarf  is  one  of  the  stock  "  properties  "  of 
mediaeval  romance,  as  in  fact  he  was  of  the  actual  mediaeval  castle.  Cf. 
Schultz,  Das  hqfiscke  Lebe7i,  i,  207. 

59  12.     in  my  defendaunt  =  in  my  defence. 

59  18.  valyaunts  men.  Baldwin,  p.  11,  note,  thinks  that  valyaunts 
"is  probably  a  contract  superlative,  the  t  having  been  dropped  by  the 
typesetter."  This  is  possible,  and  it  must  be  admitted,  furthermore, 
that  adjectives  having  Romance  plurals  in  s  are  rare  at  this  period. 
Skeat  can  cite  from  Piers  Plowman  but  one  instance,  cardijtales  verities, 
but  he  cites  four  from  Chaucer,  Works,  vi,  p.  Ixx.  The  French  cannot 
help  us  here,  since  the  original  of  this  passage  is  lost.  For  instances  in 
Palsgrave  (1530),  see  Marsh's  Orig.  and  Hist,  of  the  Eng.  Lang.,  p.  510, 
note.  "  Cf.  also  Child,  Observ.  on  Lang,  of  C.  T.,  §  43  ;  ten  Brink, 
Chaucer's  Spr.  u.  Versk.,  §  243;  Skeat,  P.  PL,  ed.  1886,  ii,  130.  Infernals 
illusions  occurs  in  some  MSS.  of  Chaucer's  Troilus,  v,  368."     K. 

59  18.  the  kynne  of  this  knyght  iville  chace  yow.  The  duty  of  aveng- 
ing the  murder  of  kinsmen  was  recognized  as  fully  in  the  Middle  Ages 
as  it  was  in  the  early  history  of  the  Jews.  The  Icelandic  saga  A'jdla 
has  this  as  its  central  motive.     The  custom  is  indeed  world-wide. 

59  24.  ky7ige  Mark.  In  the  Morte  Darthur,  Mark  figures  chiefly  in 
Bks.  viii,  ix,  x.  For  the  meaning  of  his  name  and  his  place  in  Celtic 
myth,  see  Rhys,  Studies,  pp.  70,  357,  358. 

59  31.     they  found  one  was  fair.     Cf.  25  32. 

60  3.  ho^v.  This  word  is  merely  used  to  introduce  a  quotation, 
and  is  purely  expletive.     Cf.  that,  79  18. 

60  8.  a  doyng.  The  form  in  the  Morte  Darthur  is  commonly  on 
rather  than  a;  on  huntynge,  68  28.  Cf.  Baldwin,  340  (b).  Kellner  dis- 
cusses the  construction,  Blanch,  and  Egl.,  p.  Ixxv.  Storm,  Englische 
Philologie  (2d  ed.),  i  (cf.  Index),  cites  numerous  instances  of  its  use 
down  to  the  present  day. 

60  10.  the grettest  bafaille.  I.auncelot  and  Tristram  fought  several 
times.  See  ix,  35-37  ;  x,  5,  69,  7'J-  Tlie  battle  here  referred  to  is 
described,  x,  5,  and  mention  is  made  of  this  passage. 


264  NOTES.  [Bk.  II,  Cap.  VIII. 

60  29.     stroke  most  dolorous.     See  pp.  72,  73,  73  5. 

61  7.  as.  Kellner,  Blanch,  and  Egl.,  p.  l.xxxviii,  regards  that  as  a 
conjunction,  and  thinks  tliat  as  is  redundant.  The  more  probable  con- 
struction is  indicated  by  the  punctuation  in  our  text,  i.e.,  "suche  peryl- 
lous  dede  as  that  is." 

62  20.  In  Hk.  viii,  12,  Tristram  says,  "  Ye  shalle  wynne  more  by  my 
lyf  than  by  my  dethe." 

63  5.  Syr  kynge,  ye  are  welcome.  It  is  to  be  suspected  that  con- 
siderable sarcasm  was  mingled  with  Arthur's  welcome. 

63  6.  hyder  .  .  .  hyther.  Hyder  appears,  57  7;  hyther,  54  11. 
Words  containing  medial  d  were  in  a  transition  state  when  Malory 
wrote. 

63   17.     beholdyng.     Cf.  25  2. 

63  22.  none.  Translated  noon  in  the  glossary.  It  is  possible,  how- 
ever, that  it  may  here  be  taken  literally,    hora  nona^\\\n\.\\  hour  = 

3  I'-M- 

64  14.  Nero  was  destroyed.  Malory  is  following  the  Huth  Merlin. 
The  ordinary  Merlin,  pp.  615-630,  gives  a  very  different  account. 
Nero  is  not  mentioned.  Arthur  meets  Rion  in  battle  and  kills  him. 
Of  Balin  and  Balan  we  hear  nothing. 

64  23.  the  one  should  probably  be  that  one  {that,  conj.).  The 
French  reads  :  "  Et  il  savoit  bien  que  li  uns  d'aus  deus  i  morroit." 
Huth  Merlin,  p.  256.  If  we  read  the,  we  must  supply  a  relative  that 
before  shold. 

64  25.     ^^  07iy  is  sometimes  used  for  eyther."     Baldwin,  122. 

64  26.  he  had  lever.  Cf.  Chaucer's  hym  was  lever.  Prol.  C.  T., 
1.  293.  Professor  Kittredge  adds  a  reference  to  F.  Hall's  article  on 
"  Had  rather,"  etc.,  in  A>n.  /our.  of  Philology,  ii,  281  ff. 

64  26.  had  be  slayne  ^  should  be  slain.  See  Baldwin,  260  (b), 
note  2. 

64  28.     me.     For  the  dative,  see  Baldwin,  80  (c). 

65  4.  werre.  It  is  possible  that  the  text  should  be  left  unchanged, 
and  that  the  reading  averse  should  be  rejected.  Stratmann  (rev.  Bradley) 
cites  a  half  dozen  instances  of  werre,  meaning  worse.  Yet  Wers  is 
found,  29  28,  and  werse,  47  34  (Sommer). 

65  9.     as  he  was  one.     Cf.  44  19. 

65  13.  thc7-for  kyng  Lot  held  ayenst  Arthur.  The  account  in 
Malory  and  in  the  Huth  Merlin  cannot  be  reconciled  with  that  in  the 
ordinary  Merlin.  In  the  latter  Lot  disdains  Arthur  at  his  coronation 
because  of  his  youth.  But  afterwards  Lot  is  reconciled  to  Arthur  and 
is  on  his  side  in  the  final  combat  when  Rion  is  killed,  p.  625. 


Bk.  II,  Cap.  XIII.]  NOTES.  265 

65  25.  revenged  the  deth.  Cf.  59  18.  We  get  no  further  account 
in  Malory  of  Pellinore's  death,  but  in  x,  21,  Gawain  speaks  of  having 
killed  him. 

65  29.  Saynt  Stevytis.  In  Lovelich's  Holy  Grail,  ch.  47,  Josephes 
builds  St.  Stephen's  in  the  city  of  Camelot.  St.  Stephen's  minster  is 
mentioned  in  the  prose  Merlin,  pp.  453,  463,  495,  614. 

66  1.     at.     Cf.  1.  5,  to. 

66  3.     GaretJi.     Note    Rhys's    comments    on    Gareth,    Studies,    pp. 

21,  393- 

66  8.     xij  yniages.     There   is    a    resemblance,   perhaps   more  than 

casual,  between  this   tomb  and  the  magnificent  monument  of  Kaiser 

Maximilian  I,  in  the  Hofkirche  at  Innsbruck.     The  differences  are,  of 

course,  great. 

In  the  Huth  Merlin,  i,  263,  the  statues  are  placed  on  a  tower. 

66  8.  laton.  "  It  was  a  kind  of  mixed  metal,  somewhat  resembling 
brass  both  in  its  nature  and  colour,  but  still  more  like  pinchbeck.  It 
was  used  for  helmets  (Rime  of  Sir  Thopas,  B.  2067),  lavers  (P.  PI. 
Crede,  196),  spoons  (Nares),  sepulchral  memorials  (Way  in  Prompt. 
Parv.),  and  other  articles."  Skeat,  note  to  Chaucer's  Pardoneres  Prol., 
V,  270.  See  the  entire  note;  also  note  to  Sir  Ferumbras,  p.  213 
(E.  E.  T.  8.). 

67  2.  she  loved  another  knyght.  See  the  account  in  iv,  6-14.  Cf. 
the  prose  Merlin,  pp.  506  seq. 

67  8.     nere.     Cf.  Kellner,  Blanch,  and  Egl.,  p.  Ixxx. 
67   10.     a  grete  batail.     See  pp.  219-222. 

67  12.  Basdemegus.  Commonly,  Bagdcmagus.  Rhys,  Studies,  pp. 
344,  345,  explains  how  the  name  was  transformed  by  the  romancers 
from  its  Celtic  form. 

68  12.     came  one  invysybel.     Cf.  Tennyson's  lines  • 

At  once 
He  felt  the  hollow-teaten  mosses  thud 
And  tremble,  and  then  the  shadow  of  a  spear, 
Shot  from  behind  him,  ran  along  the  ground. 
Sideways  he  started  from  the  path,  and  saw, 
With  pointed  lance  as  if  to  pierce,  a  shape, 
A  light  of  armour  by  him  flash,  and  pass 
And  vanish  in  the  woods. 

Balin  and  Balan. 

68  31.  aftd  I  were  armed  as  ye  be,  I  wolde  fyghte  wyth  yow.  Cf. 
Libeaus  Dcsconiis,  1.  1 1  23. 


266  NOTES.  [Bk.  II,  Cap.  XIII. 

69  8.  Garlon.  Rhys,  Studies,  p.  121,  remarks  that  "  Garlon  is 
probably  to  be  identified  with  the  Gwrgi  Garwlwyd,  already  mentioned 
(p.  73),  as  a  cannibal  held  up  to  detestation  in  the  Triads." 

69  32.  blood.  The  curative  power  of  blood  is  mentioned  several 
times  in  the  Morte  Darthur.  Cf.  pp.  70,  72,  140-142,  160,  Bk.  vi,  15. 
This  singular  superstition  was  widespread  in  the  Middle  Ages,  and  fur- 
nished a  motive  for  more  than  one  literary  work.  Most  commonly 
blood  was  recommended  as  a  cure  for  leprosy.  According  to  the 
legend  of  Silvester,  the  Emperor  Constantine,  being  leprous,  was  advised 
to  bathe  in  the  blood  of  three  thousand  children,  but  he  refused  to 
destroy  so  many  lives  for  the  sake  of  his  own  (Gower's  version  of  this 
story,  Confessio  Amantis,  Bk.  ii,  end,  does  not  mention  the  number). 
In  Amis  and  Amiloun,  ed.  Kolbing,  1.  2310,  Amis  cuts  the  throats  of 
his  two  children  and  takes  their  blood  for  the  cure  of  his  friend 
Amiloun,  who  has  become  leprous.  The  children  are  miraculously 
brought  to  life  again.  In  Hartmann  von  Aue's  poem,  Der  Ar7ne  Hein- 
rich,  11.  445  seq.,  a  peasant  girl  is  ready  to  sacrifice  her  life  in  order  to 
furnish  blood  for  curing  the  leprosy  of  the  prince.  He  is  cured,  how- 
ever, just  as  she  is  about  to  be  bled.  Cf.  Cassel,  Die  Symboltk  des 
Blutes  lend  der  Arme  Heinrich  des  Hartmann  iwti  Aue,  Berlin,  1882, 
and  Volksthiimliches  ziim  Armen  Heinrich  in  Zeitschrift  fiir  dentsche 
Philologie,  xxiii,  217  ;  Child,  Ballads,  i,  47,  50  ;  viii,  441  ;  Gesta  Rom., 
p.  69  (E.  E.  T.  S.). 

Other  instances  occur  of  a  somewhat  different  type.  St.  Christopher's 
blood  smeared  on  the  eyes  of  a  blind  king  gives  sight.  Early  South  Eng. 
Legendary,  p.  277  (E.  E.  T.  S.).  The  wife  of  Promius,  Emperor  of 
Rome,  is  in  love  with  a  knight,  but  she  is  cured  of  her  love  and  her 
lovesickness  by  being  anointed  with  his  blood.  Gesta  Rom.,  p.  342 
(E.  E.  T.  S.).  For  a  variety  of  other  parallels,  see  Lovelich's  Holy 
Grail,  ch.  56,  11.  441  seq.  ;  L' Ystoire  des  Sept  Sages,  ch.  ii,  part  xi; 
Traill's  Social  England,  ii,  81  ;  Child's  Ballads,  ii,  337  ;  Jacobs's  Indian 
Fairy  Tales  (Punchkin),  pp.  26,  27  (Loving  Laili),  p.  64,  and  his  List  oj 
Incidents;  Grimm's  Hanstnarchen,  No.  6  (Der  Treue  Johannes). 
"  Blood  is  used  as  a  salve  for  curative  purposes  among  some  tribes  in 
Australia  and  among  the  Guamos  of  the  Orinoco."  Crombie  on  The 
Sahva  Superstition  in  Trattsactions  of  Internal.  Folk-Lore  Congress,  1891, 
p.  255.  Rhys,  Studies,  p.  1 19,  comments  on  the  passage  in  our  text  and 
suggests  a  Celtic  parallel.  My  colleague  Professor  F.  W.  Nicolson  tells 
me  that  a  "physician"  in  Portland.  Me.,  bathes  all  his  consumptive 
patients  in  beef  blood. 

70  8.     it  tcllcth  after.      Cf.  pp.  1 40-142. 


Bk.  II,  Cap.  XVI.]  NOTES.  261 

70  28.  kynge  Pellam.  The  same  as  Pelleam,  the  maimed  king.  See 
Lovelich's  Holy  Grail,  ch.  55,  11.  484  seq.  There  is  considerable  con- 
fusion in  Malory's  mind  caused  by  the  variety  of  forms  in  the  French. 
Cf.  Rhys,  Studies,  ch.  xii,  and  Nutt,  Studies,  Index  i. 

71  12.  and  wold  have  had  =^  2lx^A  [they]  wold,  etc.  The  subject  is 
often  omitted  when  it  is  a  pronoun.     Cf.  62  3. 

71   14.     a  knyghte  alweyes  to  kepe.     Cf.  54  24. 

71  25.  avysed  hyiii.  For  other  reflexive  verbs  in  the  ^/(jr/.?  ZJizrMwr, 
see  Baldwin,  313. 

71  33.     cam.     For  the  form,  see  Baldwin,  186  (a). 

72  1.  clave  his  hede  to  the  sholders.  Cf.  the  favorite  phrase  in  the 
prose  Merlin,  p.  343,  etc.,  "  slytte  hym  to  the  teth."  Cf.  the  form  clave 
with  the  form  claf,  Mortc  Darthur  (Sommer),  689  22. 

72  5  seq.     Cf.  Tennyson's  version  : 

Then  Garlon,  reeling  slowly  backward,  fell, 
And  Balin  by  the  banneret  of  his  helm 
Dragg'd  him,  and  struck,  but  from  the  castle  a  cry 
Sounded  across  the  court,  and  —  men-at-arms, 
A  score  with  pointed  lances,  making  at  him  — 
He  dash'd  the  pummel  at  the  foremost  face, 
Beneath  a  low  door  dipt,  and  made  his  feet 
Wings  thro'  a  ghmmering  gallery,  till  he  mark'd 
The  portal  of  King  Pellam's  chapel  wide 
And  inward  to  the  wall;  he  stept  l^ehind; 
Thence  in  a  moment  heard  them  pass  like  wolves 
Howling  ;  but  while  he  stared  about  the  slirine, 
In  wiiicli  he  scarce  could  spy  the  Cluist  for  Saints, 
Beheld  before  a  golden  altar  lie 
The  longest  lance  his  eyes  had  ever  seen, 
Point-painted  red  ;  and  seizing  thereupon 
Push'd  thro'  an  open  casement  down,  lean'd  on  it, 
Leapt  in  a  semicircle,  and  lit  on  earth. 

Balin  and  Balan. 

73  5.  that  was  falle  donne  thorugh  that  dolorous  stroke.  On  the 
collapsed  castle,  note  a  remark  by  Rhys,  Studies,  p.  347.  For  Celtic 
parallels  to  the  dolorous  stroke  and  other  comments,  see  ibid.,  pp.  120, 
258,  259,  264,  275,  2S5,  300. 

Another  dolorous  stroke  is  described  in  our  text,  126  M. 

73   12.      Galahad  .  .  .  heled  hym.     See  160  21. 

73  14.  Joseph  of  Armathe.  For  details  concerning  him,  see  Nutt's 
Studies,  Summaries  and  Index  i. 


268  NOTES.  [Bk.  II,  Cai'.  XVI. 

73  16.  spere.  For  the  importance  of  this  spear  in  the  legend  of  the 
Grail,  see  Nutt's  Studies,  Index  i  {Lance). 

73  18.  nyghe  of  Joseph  kynne.  For  the  genitive,  see  Baldwin,  lo  (e). 
The  confusion  in  the  genealogies  is  discussed  in  Nutt's  Studies,  pp.  84,  85. 

7.S  3.  saive  her  lye.  The  story  of  Pelleas  and  Ettard  (cf.  iv,  22) 
parallels  at  several  points  the  story  of  Garnyssh  and  his  lady. 

75  24.     roofe  hym  self.     Cf.  58  6. 

76  3.  //;:  herd  an  home  blowe  as  it  had  ben  the  dethe  of  a  best.  This 
was  the  recognized  signal  in  hunting.  Cf.  Schultz,  Das  hofische  Leben, 
i,  460. 

76  22.    yew.     Caxton's  misprint  iox  yow. 

76  22.  byggar.  A  "  rare  variant  in  the  comparative  is  -<zr."  Bald- 
win, T,T,  (a). 

77  2.     blessid  hym.     Crossed  himself. 

77  9.  he  demed  it  was  not  he.  The  fight  of  Balin  with  his  brother  is 
a  mere  variant  of  the  very  old  motive,  found  in  more  than  one  literature, 
of  the  fight  of  a  son  with  his  father,  neither  knowing  the  other.  With- 
out taking  account  of  CEdipus  killing  his  father,  we  note  that  in  the 
Destruction  of  Troy  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  1.  13,912,  Ulysses  receives  in  battle  a 
deadly  wound  from  Telegonus,  whom  he  discovers  to  be  his  son.  The 
story  of  .Sohrab  and  Rustum  is  familiar  to  all  readers  of  Matthew 
Arnold.  The  most  famous  instance  in  Germanic  literature  is  found  in 
the  Hildebrandslied.  Of  tliis  there  is  also  an  Icelandic  version.  See 
Corpus  Poeticuin  Boreale,  i,  190,  and  Saxo  Grammaticus,  Gesta  Dano- 
runi,  Bk.  vii.  A  similar  motive  appears  in  the  romance  of  Sir  Degare 
(Abbotsford  Club  ed.) ;  cf.  Ellis's  Early  English  Metrical  Rom.,  pp. 
577i  578.  Galahad  fights  his  father  Launcelot  without  knowing  him, 
Morte  Darthur,  113  5.  Even  in  Shakspere  we  find  the  same  motive. 
A  son  has  killed  his  father  unawares  on  the  battlefield  and  cries  out : 

"  Who 's  this  ?  —  O  God  !  it  is  my  father's  face, 
Whom  in  this  conflict  I  unawares  have  killed." 

Henry  VI,  part  iii,  act  ii,  sc.  5. 

Kohler  has  an  elaborate  note  on  combats  between  father  and  son  in  a 
comment  on  the  Miltin  of  Marie  de  France,  Lais,  ed.  Warnke,  pp. 
xcvi-xcix. 

The  fighting  of  a  brother  with  brother,  neither  knowing  the  other, 
appears  to  be  less  common,  but  in  the  days  when  armor  covered  the 
entire  body,  it  must  have  been  an  easy  possibility.  Generydes  fights 
his  brother  Ismael  without  knowing  him.  Generydes  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  11. 
2622  seq.     Cf.  Launcelot's  fight  with  Tristram,  Morte  Darthur,  x,  5, 


Bk.  II,  Cap.  XVIII.]  NOTES.  269 

and  Nutt's  Problems  of  Heroic  Legend  in  Transactions  of  Internat.  Folk- 
Lore  Congress,  1891,  p.  127. 

The  placing  of  the  fight  upon  an  island  reminds  one  of  the  familiar 
hohngang  oi  the  Icelandic  sagas.  "  Cf.  also  Torrent  of  Portytigale  2l\\A 
Sir  Tristretn.^'     K. 

77  27.     none  =  neither. 

78  2.  hawherkes  iinnailed.  The  hauberk  consisted  of  rings  joined 
so  as  to  form  a  protective  armor  for  the  upper  part  of  the  body. 
Schultz,  Das  kofische  Leben,  ii,  31,  32.  "Perhaps  unmailed  should  be 
read  instead  of  ujtnailed.'"     K. 

78  10.     Balan  yede  on  al  four.     Ci.  Tennyson  : 

But  when  their  foreheads  felt  the  cooling  air, 
Balin  first  woke,  and  seeing  that  true  face, 
Familiar  up  from  cradle-time,  so  wan, 
Crawl'd  slowly  with  low  moans  to  where  he  lay, 
And  on  his  dying  brother  cast  himself 
Dying ;  and  /le  lifted  faint  eyes  ;  he  felt 
One  near  him ;  all  at  once  they  found  the  world. 
Staring  wild-wide ;  then  with  a  childlike  wail. 
And  drawing  down  the  dim  disastrous  brow 
That  o'er  him  hung,  he  kiss'd  it,  moan'd  and  spake; 
"  O  Balin,  Balin,  I  that  fain  had  died 
To  save  thy  life,  have  brought  thee  to  thy  death. 
Why  had  ye  not  the  shield  1  knew  ?  and  why 
Trampled  ye  thus  on  that  which  bare  the  crown  ? " 
Then  Balin  told  him  brokenly,  and  in  gasps, 
All  that  had  chanced,  and  Balan  moan'd  again. 


"  O  brother,"  answer'd  BaHn,  "  woe  is  me ! 
My  madness  all  thy  life  has  been  thy  doom. 
Thy  curse,  and  darken'd  all  thy  day ;  and  now 
The  night  has  come.     I  scarce  can  see  thee  now. 
Good-night !  for  we  shall  never  bid  again 
Good-morrow —  Dark  my  doom  was  here,  and  dark 
It  will  be  there.     I  see  thee  now  no  more. 
I  would  not  mine  again  should  darken  thine, 
Good-night,  true  brother." 

Balan  answered  low, 
"Good-night,  true  brother  here!  good-morrow  there! 
We  two  were  born  together,  and  we  die 
Together  by  one  doom"  :  and  while  he  spoke 
Closed  his  death-drowsing  eyes,  and  slept  the  sleep 
With  BaUn,  either  locked  in  either's  arm. 

Balin  and  Balan. 


270  NO'J'JlS.  [liK.  11,  Cai'.  XVIII. 

78  21.  to  our  boihes  destruction.  The  genitive  bathes  is  anomalous. 
in  Malory,  cf.  Baldwin,  72,  but  it  occurs  also  in  Chaucer.  Cf.  the  forms 
bothis,  botheis,  bathes,  in  Kittredge's  Observ.  on  the  Lang,  of  Chaucer's 
Troilus,  p.  167. 

79  7.     her  ryghtes,  i.e.,  the  eucharist  and  extreme  unction. 

79  18.  that.  Cf.  60  Vi  and  Kellner,  Blanch,  and  Egl.,  p.  xc.  That 
was  not  uncommonly  used  to  introduce  a  direct  quotation.  Cf.  a 
similar  use  of  the  Gothic  \>atei. 

79  23.  fordyd  that  bed.  "This  enchantment  lasted  till  '  Lanscelos,' 
the  son  of  King '  Ban  de  Benoic,'  came  into  the  island  ;  but  not  he  him- 
self, but '  un  anelel'  which  he  had,  and  which  'descouvroit  tous  enchante- 
mens,' put  an  end  to  it."  Sommer,  iii,  95.  This  "  anelet "  was  given 
to  Launcelot  by  "  la  damoisele  del  lac." 

80  2.     shalle  slee  .  .  .  Syr  Gawayne.     See  xx,  21,  22;  xxi,  2. 

80  5.  brydge  of  yrcn  and  of  stele.  It  is  possible  that  Merlin's 
narrow  bridge  was  suggested  by  the  old  conception  found  in  the  Vision 
literature  and  elsewhere.  Ward,  Cat.  of  Romances,  ii,  399,  in  comment- 
ing on  the  Vision  of  St.  Paul,  remarks:  "The  Bridge  of  Dread,  to 
which  we  have  just  alluded,  is  the  name  usually  given  to  the  bridge 
which  all  Souls  have  to  pass  on  their  way  from  Earth  to  Heaven.  It 
is  long,  narrow,  and  slippery ;  and  a  Hell-torrent  roars  underneath  it. 
It  figures  in  the  Koran  ;  but  it  had  found  its  way  into  Christian  legends 
before  the  time  of  Mohammed."  Cf.  also  Ward's  comments  on  St. 
Patrick's  Purgatory,  ibid.,  ii,  441.  For  other  discussions,  see  Rhys's 
Studies,  p.  55,  Romania,  xii,  508-510.  Professor  Kittredge  adds 
references  to  Baist  in  Grober's  Zeitschrift,  xiv,  159;  C.  Fritsche,  Rom. 
Forsch.,  ii,  247  ff.  ;  iii,  337  ff. 

80  11.  the  stone  hoved  al  weyes  above  the  water.  Cf.  the  story  of 
Elisha,  //  A'ings,  vi,  6,  who  made  the  axe  float.  In  Gen.  and  Exod., 
11.  3185-3187,  we  find  : 

On  an  gold  gad  15e  name  god 

ir  grauen,  and  laid  up-on  '5e  flod  ; 

Moyfes  it  fohvede    Sider  it  flet. 


80  22.     in  the  book  of  Saticgrayll.     Cf.  p.  85. 


Bk.  XIII.]  NOTES.  271 

BOOK   XIII. 
I.     Connecting  Link. 

The  story  from  the  point  where  we  break  off  at  the  end  of 
Book  II  to  the  point  where  we  take  it  up  again  at  the  beginning 
of  Book  XIII  is  by  no  means  a  unit. 

Book  III  narrates  the  marriage  of  Arthur  and  Guenever,  and 
the  founding  of  the  Round  Table.  Then  the  story  turns  suddenly 
to  the  exploits  of  Tor  and  his  father,  King  Pellinore,  and  to  various 
other  matters. 

Book  IV  describes  the  end  of  Merlin  and  introduces  us  to  the 
young  Launcelot.  The  burden  of  the  larger  part  of  the  book, 
however,  is  an  adventure  of  Arthur's.  After  discomfiting  five 
invading  kings,  he  is  enticed  into  a  castle,  where  he  is  imprisoned 
by  the  treason  of  his  sister  Morgan  le  Fay.  Arthur  finally 
escapes  and  recovers  his  sword  Excalibur,  with  the  scabbard, 
which  she  had  cunningly  got  from  him.  Various  other  incidents 
follow,  chief  among  them  the  story  of  Pelleas  and  Ettard. 

Book  V,  which  tells  of  Arthur's  wars  with  the  Romans,  is 
probably  to  most  readers  one  of  the  least  interesting  books  of  the 
Morte  Darthur.  One  or  two  passages  are  picturesque,  but  the 
general  level  is  low. 

In  Book  VI,  Launcelot  springs  to  the  front  as  the  greatest  of 
the  knights  of  the  Round  Table,  and  this  preeminence  he  main- 
tains till  the  final  overthrow  of  Arthur.  The  incidents  here 
related  are  varied,  but  not  of  especial  importance  to  the  develop- 
ment of  the  Morte  Darthur. 

Book  VII  is  a  romance  within  a  romance,  and  is  wholly 
devoted  to  the  tale  of  Gawaine's  brother  Sir  Gareth,  nicknamed 
Beaumains  by  Sir  Kay.  The  outline  of  the  story  has  been  made 
familiar  to  modern  readers  in  Tennyson's  Gareth  and  Lynette. 
We  need  hardly  suggest  that  the  poet  takes  considerable  liberties 
with  his  material. 

By  another  sharp  transition  we  turn  in  Book  VIII  to  a  new 
hero.  Sir  Tristram.  He  defends  the  kingdom  of  his  uncle  King 
Mark  of  Cornwall  against  invasion,  and  is  at  length  commissioned 


272  NOTES.  [13k.  XIII. 

to  bring  La  Beale  Isoud  from  Ireland  to  be  the  bride  of  King 
Mark.  Isoud  and  Tristram  drink  a  love  potion,  and  ever  after 
love  each  other.  Tristram  has  consideral)Ie  trouble  in  bringing 
the  bride  to  her  husband,  and  still  more  by  being  involved  in 
quarrels  with  her  admirers.  He  finally  goes  wounded  to  Brittany. 
Here  he  is  cured  by  another  Isoud,  whom  he  marries.  His  repu- 
tation suffers  in  consequence  at  King  Arthur's  court. 

Book  IX  continues  the  story  of  Tristram,  and  tells  also  of  the 
young  knight  La  Cote  Male  Taile.  Tristram  has  various  adven- 
tures, saves  Arthur's  life,  and  afterwards  goes  mad,  supposing  that 
he  has  lost  the  love  of  Queen  Isoud.  At  length  he  is  found  and 
brought  to  Mark's  castle  at  Tintagel,  but  is  recognized  and  ban- 
ished for  ten  years.  Tristram  then  spends  his  time  in  going  from 
place  to  place  jousting,  meets  Sir  Launcelot  and  many  other 
knights,  and  wins  renown  everywhere. 

In  Book  X,  the  longest  in  the  Morte  Darthur,  Tristram  per- 
forms great  feats  which  cannot  be  easily  summarized.  Most 
important  is  his  elopement  with  La  Beale  Isoud  and  their  recep- 
tion by  Launcelot,  who  brings  them  to  Joyous  Gard. 

Book  XI  tells  principally  of  Launcelot,  and  of  his  becoming, 
by  means  of  enchantment,  the  father  of  Galahad.  Queen  Guen- 
ever  is  duly  jealous,  and  by  her  reproaches  drives  Launcelot  to 
madness. 

The  remainder  of  the  book  tells  of  the  brothers  Aglovale  and 
Percivale. 

In  Book  XII  we  learn  yet  more  of  Launcelot.  In  his  madness 
he  has  various  adventures  and  even  performs  feats  of  arms.  At 
'  last  he  is  discovered  by  Elaine,  tlie  mother  of  Galahad,  and  healed 
of  his  wounds  by  the  Holy  Grail.  Then  after  some  more  exploits 
Launcelot  returns  after  an  absence  of  two  years  to  Arthur's  court, 
accompanied  by  Sir  Percivale  and  Sir  Ector.  The  queen  and 
all  the  court  welcome  him  with  great  joy. 

While  Launcelot  has  been  absent  Tristram  has  won  great 
renown.  He  and  Isoud  are  glad  at  Launcelot's  return.  In  due 
time  Tristram  goes  up  to  the  feast  of  welcome,  overcomes  on  the 
way  his  old  rival  Palamides,  and  finally  returns  to  Isoud  at  Joy- 
ous Gard.     This  book  ends  with  the  words  :  "Here  endeth  the 


Bk.  XIII,  Cap.  I.]  NOTES.  273 

second  book  of  syr  Tristram  that  was  drawen  oute  of  Frensshe  in 
to  Englysshe.     But  here  is  no  rehersal  of  the  thyrd  book." 

The  story  of  Tristram  breaks  off  at  this  point  and  is  not  again 
taken  up. 

II.     Source. 

"  The  thirteenth  to  the  seventeenth  books  of  '  Le  Morte  Dar- 
thur '  are  devoted  to  the  adventures  of  the  knights  of  the  Round 
Table  in  the  search  of  the  Holy  Grail.  .  .  .  Malory  has  shortened 
his  original  in  this  portion  of  his  rifacimento  less  than  in  any 
other,  and  has  in  many  cases  limited  himself  to  translating  it." 
Sommer,  iii,  206.  The  original  is  La  Qneste  del  Saint  Graal, 
which  has  been  edited  by  Furnivall  for  the  Roxburghe  Club, 
London,  1864.  Sommer  makes  a  detailed  comparison  of  the 
English  and  the  French  texts,  and  prints  a  number  of  parallel 
passages  to  show  how  close  is  the  agreement.^ 

82  4.  entryd  in  to  the  halle  .  .  .  on  iiorsbak.  This  was  a  very  com- 
mon practice,  if  we  may  judge  from  the  numerous  references  to  it  in 
the  romances.  In  the  Huth  Merlin,  i,  184,  when  Gifflet  returns  from 
his  unlucky  jousting,  we  read:  "  Et  il  en  vint  en  la  sale  tout  a  cheval, 
et  quant  li  rois  le  vit  venir  sanglent  si  coume  il  estoit,  il  li  dist  trop 
courrechies,"  etc.  Cf.  "  Comys  syr  launcelot  du  lake  Rydand  Ryght 
in  [to]  the  halle."     Morte  Arthur,  1.  1554.     (Harl.  MS.,  No.  2252.) 

In  Child's  Ballads,  iii,  51  ;  iv,  510;  vi,  508,  a  large  number  of  ref- 
erences are  given  by  Child  and  Kittredge.  See  also  Nutt's  Studies, 
p.  155;   Morley's  English  Writers,  vi,  229  ;  Skeat's  Chaucer,  v,  374. 

83  7.  Bors.  "  There  can  be  no  serious  doubt  that  he  was  the 
same  person  called  Bort  in  the  Welsh  Triads,  for  besides  the  similarity 
of  the  name,  Bors  like  Bort  was  one  of  those  who  found  the  Holy 
Grail."  Rhys,  Studies,  p.  i6r.  He  adds  in  a  note  that  Malory  "some- 
times makes  Bors  into  two  persons,  Syr  Bors  de  Ganys,  as  in  iv,  19, 
and  Kynge  Bors  of  Gaule,  as  in  i,  10." 

1  The  literature  of  the  Grail  legend  is  very  extensive,  and  is  constantly  increas- 
ing. See  Nutt's  Studies ;  Rliys's  Studies,  ch.  xiii.  The  Origin  of  the  Holy 
Grail ;  Hucher,  Le  Saint  Graal,  3  vols.,  Le  Mans,  1874,  Baist,  Z.f.  r.  Phil., 
xix,  326  seq.,  etc.  Nutt,  pp.  38-52,  gives  a  convenient  abstract  of  tlie  Qiieste, 
with  a  numbering  of  the  separate  incidents.  The  summaries  which  Nutt  gives 
(jf  the  other  Grail  legends  are  now  and  then  useful  for  comparison. 


274  A'07V-:S.  [hK.  XIII,  Cai-.  I. 

83  yi.  pyytne.  The  exact  sense  in  which  prime  is  to  be  taken  in  a 
particular  passage  must  be  determined  by  the  context.  Usually /r/w^ 
indicates  the  prime  ox  first  quarter  of  the  twelve-hour  day,  i.e.,  6  to  9 
A.M.  It  is  also  taken  to  mean  9  A.M.,  which  may  possibly  be  the 
hour  meant  here. 

83  32.  rnade  hym  knyght.  For  a  description  of  the  ceremony 
attending  the  making  of  a  knight,  see  Gicy  of  Warwick  (E.  E.  T.  S.); 
version  i,  11.  385  seq. ;  the  prose  Merlin,  pp.  374,  375,  and  especially 
pp.  583,  584;  see  also  Schultz,  Das  hdfiscke  Leben,  i,  181-190. 

84  14.  Si'ge  Perillous.  In  the  Morte  DartJmr,  xi,  i,  we  read  : 
"  Afore  the  tyme  that  Syre  Galahalt  was  goten  or  borne,  there  came  in 
an  hermyte  unto  kynge  Arthur  upon  Whytsonday,  as  the  knyghtes 
satte  at  the  Table  Round.  And  whan  the  heremyte  sawe  the  Syege 
Perillous  he  asked  the  kyng  and  alle  the  knyghtes  why  that  sege  was 
voyd.  Sir  Arthur  and  all  the  knyghtes  ansuerd,  '  Ther  shalle  never 
none  sytte  in  that  syege  but  one,  but  yf  he  be  destroyed.'  Thenne 
sayd  the  hermyte,  '  Wote  ye  what  is  he  .'"  "  Nay,'  said  Arthur  and  all 
the  knyghtes,  'we  wote  not  who  is  he  that  shalle  sytte  therein.' 
'Thenne  wote  I,'  said  the  heremyte,  'for  he  that  shal  sytte  there  is 
unborne  and  ungoten,  and  this  same  yere  he  shalle  be  goten  that  shalle 
sytte  ther  in  that  Syege  Perillous,  and  he  shall  wynne  the  Sancgreal. ' " 

This  seat  was  made  by  Merlin.     Cf.  Bk.  xiv,  2,  and  the  prose  Merlin, 
pp.  58  seq.     Cf.  also  Tennyson  : 

In  our  great  hall  there  stood  a  vacant  chair, 
Fashioned  by  Merlin  ere  he  past  away. 
And  carven  with  strange  figures;  and  in  and  out 
The  figures,  like  a  serpent,  ran  a  scroll 
Of  letters  in  a  tongue  no  man  could  read. 
And  Merlin  call'd  it  "  The  Siege  perilous," 
Perilous  for  good  and  ill ;  "  for  there,"  he  said, 
"  No  man  could  sit  but  he  should  lose  himself." 

The  Holy  Grail. 

See  also  the  prose  Merlin,  p.  63. 

We  might  infer  from  the  passage  in  our  text,  88  5,  that  Galahad  had 
never  before  sat  in  the  Sege  Perillous,  but  at  the  end  of  Bk.  xii,  14,  we 
read  :  "  And  so  the  kynge  and  all  the  court  were  glad  that  Syre  Palo- 
mydes  was  crystened ;  and  at  the  same  feeste  in  came  Galahad  and  sat 
in  the  Sege  Perillous." 

I  84  31.  your  old  cttstomme.  Cf.  Morte  Darthur,  vii,  1  :  "  Soo  ever 
the  kyng  hadde  a  custom  that  at  the  feest  of  Pentecost  in  especial 
afore  other  feestes  in  the  yere  he  wold  not  goo  that  daye  to  mete  untyl 


Bk.  XUI,  Cap.  IV.]  NOTES.  275 

lie  had  herd  or  sene  of  a  grete  merveylle."     Cf.  also  Sir  Gawayne  ami 
the  Green  Knight,  11.  85-95,  and  Child's  Ballads,  ii,  257. 

85  26.  longed.  The  ending  -ed  is  a  rare  variant  for  -eth.  Cf.  120  l, 
and  Baldwin,  177. 

85  30.  Sajzcgreal,  that  is  called  the  hooly  vessel.  For  the  various 
interpretations  of  the  Grail  in  the  romances  and  elsewhere,  see  Nutt's 
Studies,  Index  ii,  and  Rhys's  Studies,  ch.  xiii.  The  Origin  of  the  Holy 
Grail.  In  the  Introduction  to  Joseph  of  Arimathie  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  pp. 
xxxvi-xl,  Skeat  reviews  the  various  etymologies  proposed  for  the  word. 
Malory's  own  explanation  is  that  the  Grail  is  "  the  holy  disshe  wherein 
I  ate  the  lambe  on  Sherthursdaye."     159  31. 

.86  7.     he  myghte  not  stere  it.     Cf.  22  10. 

86  10.  shalle  louche  yow  soo  sore.  Note  the  fulfillment  of  this 
prophecy,  pp.  121,  122. 

87  3.     good  old  man  and  an  ancient.     Cf.  15  7. 

87  11.  kynges  lygnage.  Galahad  was  grandson  of  King  Pelles  (or 
Pellam),  who  was  descended  from  Joseph  of  Armathye. 

87  12.  Abartnathie.  This  form  occurs  but  once  in  the  Morte  Dar- 
thur,  yet  it  appears  several  times  in  the  prose  Merlin,  pp.  23,  59,  61, 
326,  502.  The  emendation  in  the  footnote,  p.  87,  is  therefore  not 
really  obligatory. 

87  20.  Syr,  foloweth  vie.  For  other  examples  of  the  plural  form  of 
the  imperative  with  a  singular  subject,  see  Baldwin,  182.  Instances 
are  not  rare  in  Chaucer.     Cf. 

Ye  been  our  lord,  doth  with  your  owene  thing 
Right  as  yow  list ;  axeth  no  reed  at  me. 

Canterbury  Tales,  E,  11.  652,  653. 

In  these  cases  the  plural  form  appears  to  be  used  to  indicate  respect. 
A  person  of  sufficient  importance  to  be  addressed  as  jv  is,  by  the  use  of 
the  plural  imperative,  deferentially  commanded  to  do  something.  Our 
modern  practice  of  addressing  anybody  as  you  has  made  such  a  dis- 
tinction no  longer  possible. 

87  30.  Petchere=V^z\\Q\y.x.  The  presence  of  the  t  affords  an 
interesting  proof  of  the  old  pronunciation  of  French  ch.  Cf.  Skeat's 
Eng.  Etym.,  series  ii,  pp.  11-13. 

88  5.  merveylled  gretely  .  .  .  that  he  durst  sytte  there.  Cf.  the 
unfortunate  experience  of  Moys  in  Lovelich's  Holy  Grail  (E.  E.  T.  S.), 
ch.  48.  In  Liheaus  Desconus,  11.  1903  seq.,  the  hero  enters  an  enchanted 
castle  and  seats  himself  on  the  empty  throne.  Immediately  there  is  an 
earthquake,  and  the  hall  begins  to  fall  in  ruins. 


276  NOTES.  [Bk.  XIII,  Cap.  IV. 

88  7.  al  only  =s\m^\y,  merely.  Cf.  Morris  and  ^'keaii's  Specimens 
of  Early  Eng.,  ii,  165  15,  273  3. 

88  8.  This  he.  The  modern  reader  naturally  supplies  is  after  This. 
Yet  this  {^  this  is)  occurs  in  Chaucer's  Troilus,  ii,  363;  iii,  936;  v, 
151,  etc.  (ed.  Skeat),  and  even  in  the  writers  of  the  i6th  century. 

88  9.  but  he  were  mescheved.  The  repetition  of  but  he  in  Caxton's 
text  may  be  intentional.  In  that  case  the  meaning  is  :  "  Nobody  but 
him  ever  sat  in  that  seat  without  injury."  Yet  if  we  suppose  the  repe- 
tition to  be  a  blunder,  we  may  read:  "  For  there  (=in  that  seat)  sat 
never  none  [till  now]  but  [=  unless]  he  were  mescheved."  In  either 
case  we  come  to  about  the  same  conclusion.  Cf.  passage  quoted  in 
note  to  84  14. 

88  20.  by  enchaimtenient.  See  the  whole  story,  Morte  Darthur,  xi, 
2,  3.     Cf.  Lovelich's  Holy  Grail,  ch.  55,  1.  499. 

88  30.  worshippe  us  alle  =  honor  us  all.  Cf.  English  Book  of  Com- 
mon Prayer  :  "  With  my  body  I  thee  worship  "  ;  and  Trench,  Eng.  Past 
and  Present,  p.  305  (ed.  1889). 

89  2.     /■/;a^=  that  which. 
89  17.     /=  Galahad. 

89  23.     dolor  Otis  stroke.     Cf.  p.  73. 

89  25.     tyl  I  hele  hym.      Cf.  p.  160. 

90  4.     who  shold  saye  soo  now^if  any  one  were  to  say  so  now. 

90  14.  Ahicyen  the  heretiiyte.  Cf.  128  2.  For  a  commentary  on  our 
text,  note  the  descent  of  Launcelot  from  Nasciens  as  given  in  Lovelich's 
Holy  Grail,  ch.  39,  11.  212  seq.  ;  46,  11.  503  seq.  Important,  too,  are 
Nutt's  Summaries.  See  Studies,  Index  i,  and  Rhys's  Studies,  pp.  321, 
322. 

91  5.  dyd  on.  The  modern  verb  don  is  simply  do  +  on ;  doff^ 
do  +  off. 

91  27.  viij  degree.  In  Lovelich's  Holy  Grail,  ch.  39,  the  gene- 
alogy of  Nasciens  after  Celidoyne  is:  i.  Narpus;  2.  Nasciens;  3. 
Elyan  the  Greta  (Alains  Ii  Gros)  ;  4.  Ysayes ;  5.  Jonaanz;  6.  Lawn- 
celoz;  7.  Baus  (Bans);   8.  Lawncelot ;    9.  Galath  (Galahad). 

92  2.     sette  iox  sat.     Cf.  Baldwin,  155. 

92  4.  they  herde  erakynge  and  cryenge  of  thonder.  Tennyson's 
paraphrase  of  this  passage  is  very  close : 

Then  on  a  summer  night  it  came  to  pass, 
While  the  great  banquet  lay  along  the  hall. 
That  Galahad  would  sit  down  in  Merlin's  chair. 

And  all  at  once,  as  there  we  sat,  we  heard 
A  cracking  and  a  riving  of  the  roofs. 


Bk.  XIII,  Cap.  VIII.]  NOTES.  277 

And  rending,  and  a  blast,  and  overhead 

Thunder,  and  in  the  thunder  was  a  cry. 

And  in  the  blast  there  smote  along  the  hall 

A  beam  of  light  seven  times  more  clear  than  day; 

And  down  the  long  beam  stole  the  Holy  Grail, 

All  over  cover'd  with  a  luminous  cloud. 

And  none  might  see  who  bare  it,  and  it  past. 

But  every  knight  beheld  his  fellow's  face 

As  in  a  glory,  and  all  the  knights  arose. 

And  staring  each  at  other  like  dumb  men 

Stood,  till  I  found  a  voice  and  sware  a  vow. 

The  Holy  Grail. 
92  6.     viyddes.     Cf.  5S  12. 

92  6.  beaume.  The  insertion  of  the  u  appears  to  have  been  a  mere 
slip. 

92  17.  every  knyght  had  suche  metes  a7id  drynkes  as  he  best  loved. 
In  Lovelich's  Holy  Grail,  ch.  42,  II.  364  seq.,  twelve  small  loaves  put 
into  the  holy  vessel  furnish  more  food  than  is  needed  for  five  hundred 
persons.     Cf.  also  ch.  48,  11.  357  seq.  ;   50,  11.  503  seq. 

Celtic  parallels  are  cited  by  Nutt,  Stitdies,  pp.  184,  185.  For  instance, 
in  "  The  Battle  of  Magh  Rath,  a  semi-historical  romance  relating  to  events 
which  took  place  in  the  7th  century,"  and  ascribed  "  to  the  latter  half  of 
the  1 2th  century,"  it  is  related  "how  the  sons  of  the  King  of  Alba 
sought  to  obtain  from  their  father  the  '  Caire  Ainsicen'  so  called, 
because  '  it  was  the  caire  or  cauldron  which  was  used  to  return  his  own 
proper  share  to  each,  and  no  party  ever  went  away  from  it  unsatisfied,' " 
etc.  For  numerous  other  Celtic  parallels,  see  the  important  remarks 
by  Rhys,  Studies,  pp.  306-312. 

92  32.  a  twelve  moneth  and  a  day.  Tennyson  puts  the  speech  into 
the  mouth  of  Percivale : 

I  sware  a  vow  before  them  all,  that  I, 
Because  I  had  not  seen  the  Grail,  would  ride 
A  twelvemonth  and  a  day  in  quest  of  it, 
Until  1  found  and  saw  it,  as  the  nun 

My  sister  saw  it 

And  Gawain  sware,  and  louder  than  the  rest. 

The  Holy  Grail. 

94  15.  lady  nor  gentylwoman.  The  forbidding  of  women  to  accom- 
pany the  knights  on  the  quest  for  the  Grail  reminds  one  of  the  regula- 
tion at  the  time  of  the  third  Crusade,  that  no  one  should  take  a  woman 
with  him  except  a  washerwoman  on  foot.  Cf.  William  of  Ncwburgh, 
Hist.  Angl.,  iii,  23,  cited  by  Schultz,  Das  hojische  Leben,  ii,  240. 


278  NOTES.  [Bk.  XIII,  Cap.  VIII. 

95  2.  kynge  Arthurs  chamber.  Schultz,  Das  hbfische  Lebeit,  i,  107, 
remarks  :  "  Fremdenzimmer  fehlten  wohl  in  keiner  Burg;  nur  wenn  der 
Herr  unverheirathet  oder  Wittvver  war,  liess  er  dem  Gaste  in  seinem 
eigenen  Sclilafzimmer  ein  Lager  bereiten."  Yet  in  the  prose  Merlin, 
p.  180,  we  read  :  "  Hit  fill  so  that  the  kynge  Loot  was  loigged  in  a  faire 
halle,  he  and  his  meyne  .  .  .  and  the  kynge  Lotte  hadde  do  made  a 
cowche  in  a  chamber,  where  he  and  his  wif  lay.  And  Antor  lay  in 
myddell  of  the  same  chamber,  and  Kay  and  Arthur  hadde  made  her 
bedde  atte  the  chamber  dore  of  kynge  Loot,  in  a  corner,  like  as  a  squyre 
sholde  ly." 

95  10.     I'y  his  visage.     For  the  various  uses  of  by,  see  Baldwin,  328. 

95  28.  ati  honderd  and  fyfty.  Possibly  by  a  slip  Malory  gives,  on 
p.  240,  the  number  of  knights  of  the  Round  Table  as  "  C  and  xl,"  but 
in  iii,  i,  we  learn  that  there  were  in  all  a  hundred  and  fifty. 

96  25.  a  ivhyte  abbay.  Probably  a  Cistercian  abbey,  white  being  the 
color  of  the  monks'  robes. 

96  29.  Sir  Uwayne.  Another  form  for  Owein  (Owain),  who  plays 
a  great  part  in  Welsh  legends  of  the  Grail.  Cf.  Rhys,  Studies,  ch.  iv, 
and  Index  ;  Nutt,  Studies,  Index  i. 

97  3.  shelde.  Note  the  repetition  of  the  motive  that  we  have 
become  familiar  with  in  the  case  of  swords.  Cf.  50  21,  52  15,  86  10. 
Cf.  also  the  perilous  bridge,  80  7,  and  the  Seat  Perilous,  88  9. 

97  14,  15.  shelde  .  .  .  reed  crosse.  For  an  account  of  this  shield 
and  the  story  of  Joseph  having  the  nosebleed  and  marking  the  shield 
with  his  blood,  see  Lovelich's  Holy  Grail,  ch.  54,  and  ch.  56,  1.  29.  Cf. 
also  99  30.  The  symbol  of  the  Crusaders  was  a  red  cross.  Cox,  The 
Crusades,  p.  31.  Spenser's  knight  has  a  red  cross  on  his  shield.  Faery 
Queene,  Bk.  i,  i,  2. 

97  17.     hanged.     For  the  form,  see  Baldwin,  133,  footnote. 

97  28.     and  thentie.     Modern  usage  finds  the  ««</ superfluous. 

97  29.  hors  and  all.  For  a  description  of  armor  for  horses,  see 
Schultz,  Das  hofische  Leben,  ii,  100  seq. 

98  21.  the  dethe.  Cf.  the  ly/,  1.  26.  For  other  examples  of  this  use 
of  the  article,  see  Baldwin,  94. 

99  19.  Evelake.  Rhys,  Studies,  pp.  324,  335-337,  discusses  Evelak's 
Celtic  namesake.  For  his  part  in  the  Grail  stories,  see  Nutt's  Summa- 
ries, Index  i. 

99  23.  this  two.  The  plural  form  this  is  rare  in  Malory.  Cf.  Bald- 
win, 61. 

102   II.     he  blcssid  hyvi.     Crossed  himself. 

102  17.     afals  Crysten  man.    In  William  of  Malmesbury's  Dc  Gestis 


Bk.  XIII,  Cap.  XV.]  NOTES.  279 

Regum,  ii,  13,  is  an  account,  taken  from  the  fourth  book  of  Gregory's 
Dialogues,  of  a  bad  man  who  had  been  buried  in  a  church  and  was  cast 
out  of  the  church  doors  by  devils.  In  The  Knight  of  la  Tonr-Landry 
(E.  E.  T.  S.),  p.  12,  we  read  of  a  woman  who  was  damned  for  one 
deadly  sin.     When  buried  her  tomb  smoked  and  the  earth  burned. 

102  a-2.  what  betokeneth  alle.  The  ingenious  and  far-fetched  alle- 
gorical interpretation  of  Scripture  in  most  of  the  mediaeval  homilies  is 
of  a  piece  with  that  in  our  text.  Perhaps  the  most  amusing  specimens 
of  such  interpretation  are  to  be  found  in  the  moralities  appended  to  the 
tales  in  the  Gesta  Romanorum.  See  the  edition  published  by  the 
E.  E.  T.  S. 

103  21.  goth.  The  plural  form  in  -tk  maybe  a  survival  of  the  older 
form.     Cf.  Baldwin,  179. 

104  27.     my  ryghtes.     Cf.  79  7. 

106  22.  alle  this  were.  It  is  possible  to  regard  this  as  a  plural,  as 
in  the  cases  cited  by  Baldwin,  61.  But  more  probably  this  is  here 
singular,  and  the  verb  takes  the  plural  of  the  predicate  nominative  dedes. 

106  22-27.  This  sentence  is  chaotic  enough  according  to  modern 
standards,  but  the  meaning  is  sufficiently  clear.  If  w-e  slightly  change 
the  beginning,  the  relation  of  the  remainder  is  evident :  "  As  for  this 
Galahad,"  etc.     Cf.  Kellner,  Eng.  Syntax,  73. 

107  7.  all  alle.  The  repetition  is,  I  suspect,  not  rhetorical,  but  a 
printer's  blunder  in  Caxton's  text. 

107  11.  Castel  of  May  dens.  The  geographical  indications  of  the 
text  are  too  vague  to  enable  us  to  identify  this  castle.  Yet  there  are 
several  castles  in  Great  Britain  that  have  borne  the  name.  Geoffrey 
of  Monmouth,  Hist.  Reg.  Brit.,  ii,  7,  mentions  Mt.  Agned,  "  quod  nunc 
Castellum  Puellarum  dicitur."  Madden  remarks  in  a  note  to  Lasamon's 
Brut,  1.  2678,  "  that  by  Agned  and  the  Castellum  Puellarum  is  meant 
Edinburgh." 

Another  Maiden  Castle  is  in  the  County  of  Durham,  two  miles  east 
of  the  cathedral  city.  A  Roman  camp  near  Reeth,  in  the  North  Riding 
of  Yorkshire,  is  called  Maiden  Castle.  Still  another  is  in  Dorset,  a 
little  to  the  southwest  of  Dorchester.  For  Celtic  parallels,  see  Nutt's 
Studies,  T^^.  191-194.  The  prose  Merlin  mentions  "  Belyas,  the  ame- 
rouse,  of  maydens  castell,"  pp.  135,  151,  212. 

107  15.  The  modern  reader  is  inclined  to  supply  when  before  he 
sawe ;  yet  if  the  construction  is  paratactic,  the  text  really  needs  no 
emendation. 

108  2.     dcfyen  .  .  .  dcfcndcn.     For  other  plurals  in  -en,  see  Baldwin, 

177- 


280  NOTES.  [Bk.  XIII,  Cap.  XV. 

108  24.  kayes.  This  spelling  represents  to  the  ordinary  modern 
reader  the  current  pronunciation  in  Caxton's  day  more  unmistakably 
than  does  keyes,  but  keyes  is  the  more  usual  form.  Occasional  forms 
with  a  are  cited  by  Stratmann,  s.  v.,  ke^c.  Of  course  ey  and  ay  were 
sounded  alike  in  the  15th  century. 

108  27.  abydcn  here  our  delyveraiince.  The  release  of  prisoners 
is  a  common  exploit  in  the  romances.  Cf.  Bk.  vi,  11.  "  Thenne  Syr 
Launcelot  went  in  to  the  halle,  and  there  came  afore  hym  thre  score 
ladyes  and  damoysels,  and  all  kneled  unto  hym,  and  thanked  God  and 
hym  of  their  delyveraunce."  In  the  Roma)tce  of  Parthenay  (E.  E.  T.  S.), 
11.  4740-4746,  Geoffrey,  son  of  Count  Raymond,  overcomes  a  giant  and 
releases  two  hundred  prisoners.  Cf.  also  Torrent  of  Forty ngale  (E.  E. 
T.  S.),  11.  325  seq. 

109  4.  home  of  ivory.  Horns  of  ivory  were  highly  esteemed  in  the 
Middle  Ages,  and  aVe  frequently  mentioned  in  the  romances.  See 
especially  the  prose  Merlin,  p.  605.  The  famous  Olifattt  of  Roland 
was  of  ivory,  and  could  be  heard  above  the  60,000  horns  in  the  army  of 
Charles  !  Cf.  note  to  1.  1059  of  the  Chanson  de  Roland,  ed.  Gautier;  also 
Schultz,  Das  hofische  Leben,  i,  558. 

110  3.  their  yonger  syster.  Yox  their  we  should  probably  read  her, 
unless  we  wish  to  make  the  crime  of  the  seven  brethren  as  bad  as  pos- 
sible.    Wynkyn  de  Worde's  ed.  reads,  her  yonger. 

111  11.  for  the  love  of  Syr  Galahad,  i.e.,  on  account  of  Arthur's  love 
for  Sir  Galahad. 

111  33.     Galahad  is  a  inayd.     Cf.  154  30  ;  also  Chaucer: 

I  woot  wel  that  thapostel  was  a  mayde. 

Wife  of  Bath's  Prol.,  1.  79. 

Crist  was  a  mayde  and  shapen  as  a  man. 

Ibid.,  1.  139. 

Lovelich's  Holy    Grail,   ch.  29,   11.    143-168,  makes   a  fine    distinction 
between  maidenhood  and  virginity. 

112  4.  had  ye  not  ben  so  wycked,  etc.  The  logic  of  this  passage  is 
not  very  clear.     Cf.  1.  10,  and  137  29. 

112  19.  1 7nay  doo  no  penaunce.  This  feature  appears  in  the  legend 
of  The  Eremyte  and  the  Outelawe,  11.  no  seq.,  published  by  Kaluza 
in  Engl.  Stud.,  xiv,  1 71-177.  Professor  Kittredge  suggests  other 
parallels  in  E7igl.  Stud.,  xix,  iSo  seq.  "  Since  published  is  a  M.  H.  G. 
version  of  the  Knight  in  the  Chapel  (llistorie  von  einem  Ritter,  wie  er 
biisset),  ed.  by  ¥.  G.  G.  Schmidt  in  Publ.  Mod.  L.  Assoc,  xi,  258  ff ."    K. 

113  4.     they  knewe  hym  not.     <Zi.  77  8. 


Bk.  XVII.]  NOTES.  281 

115  3.  sene  afore  tyme.  Launcelot  sees  the  Grail  when  visiting 
King  Pelles,  Bk.  xi,  3.    Malory  identifies  Pelles  with  "  kynge  Pescheour." 

115  14.  synen.  Plurals  in  -en  are  very  rare  in  the  Morte  Darthur. 
We  may  possibly  regard  the  form  here  as  a  dialectical  survival.  Cf. 
Baldwin,  7  (b). 

116  4.  viore  harder.  Double  comparatives  and  superlatives  are 
common  till  the  17th  century  and  even  later.     Cf.  126  5. 

117  24.     beJioldyng.     Cf.  25  2. 

118  1.  that  were  me  fill  lothe.  For  other  examples  of  the  subjunc- 
tive with  protasis  implied,  see  Baldwin,  213  (b). 

119  6.  bytter.  An  evident  misprint  in  Caxton's  text  for  bytterer. 
Cf.  1.  10.     Wynkyn  de  Worde  prints  bytterer. 

119  19.     cursyd  the  tree.     Cf.  Matt,  xxi,  18-28. 


BOOK   XVII. 

I.     Connecting  Link. 

Book  XIV  has  for  its  central  figure  Sir  Percivale.  He  has 
various  adventures,  and  is  sorely  tempted  by  the  Devil,  but  with- 
stands the  adversary. 

Book  XV  describes  an  adventure  of  Sir  Launcelot's,  and  a 
vision  of  his  which  was  expounded  to  him  by  a  woman. 

Book  XVI  purports  to  be  mainly  concerned  with  Sir  Gawain, 
but  tells  also  of  Ector,  Bors,  and  Lionel.  Gawain  wearies  of  the 
quest  of  the  Holy  Grail,  and  thereupon  sees  a  wonderful  vision. 
Sir  Ector  sees  one  also.  A  hermit  skilled  in  the  interpretation  of 
visions  explains  what  they  mean.  Meanwhile  Bors  is  wandering 
about  the  country,  and  in  due  time  sees  his  vision.  Lionel,  too, 
has  various  adventures,  does  the  usual  amount  of  fighting,  and 
finally  meets  Sir  Bors.  A  marvellous  cloud  prevents  an  encounter. 
Bors  then  hears  a  voice  bidding  him  leave  his  brother  Lionel  and 
go  to  the  sea.  He  obeys,  and  finds  in  a  ship  covered  with  white 
samite  Sir  Percivale  of  Wales.  They  rejoice  at  the  meeting  and 
discourse  much  together. 

II.     Source. 

Cf.  introduction  to  I'.ook  XIII.  Sommer's  comparison  of 
Book  XVII  witli  the  French  original  is  found  in  iii,  217-220. 


282  NOTES.  [Bk.  XVII,  Cap.  I. 

121  1.  had  rescowed  Percyval.  The  story  of  the  rescue  is  told  in 
Bk.  xiv,  4. 

121  7.  a  wonder  turnetnent.  For  similar  instances  of  nouns  used 
as  adjectives,  see  Baldwin,  25.  This  very  word  wonder  is  cited  fourteen 
times  as  an  adjective  in  the  glossary  to  Skeat's  Chaucer. 

121  18.  Ector  dc  Marys.  The  brother  of  Launcelot ;  not  to  be 
confused  with  Ector,  the  foster-father  of  Arthur. 

121  19.     whyte  shelde.     Cf.  97  14. 

121  27.  carfe  the  hors  sholder.  The  form  crt;/^  occurs  only  here  and 
111  24  (ed.  Sommer).  Cf.  Baldwin,  146,  note.  For  other  examples  of 
the  invariable  genitive  hors,  see  Baldwin,  10  (a). 

122  7.     now  are  the  wonders  true.     Cf.  86  10. 

122  16.  that  he  viyht  lyve,  and  to  be  hole.  For  the  construction,  see 
Baldwin,  239. 

122  21.  Carboneck.  The  name  takes  various  shapes.  The  old 
Welsh  form  is  "  Caer  Bannauc,  written  later  Caer  Vannawk  or  Vannawg, 
and  it  is  the  former  we  probably  have  in  the  name  given  by  the 
romancers  as  Carbonek.  .  .  .  Now  Carbonek  was  the  name  of  the 
castle  where  Pelles  lived  and  kept  the  Holy  Grail,  and  Carbonek  seems 
practically  the  same  as  Taliessin's  Caer  Pedryvan  or  the  Banneu  of 
Caer  Sidi,  with  which  we  have  found  Pwyll  Head  of  Hades  associated, 
as  well  as  his  famous  Cauldron."  Rhys,  Studies,  pp.  304,  305.  In  Le 
Saint  Graal  (ed.  Hucher),  iii,  289,  we  read:  "  cis  castiaus  doit  estre 
apeles  Corbenic,  et  erent  les  letres  [a  une  des  portes]  en  caldeu ;  et 
Corbenic  vaut  autant  en  eel  langage  commefran9ois,"  i.e.,  "  le  saintisme 
vassel."  Lovelich's  Holy  Grail,  ch.  55,  11.  236  seq.,  translates  this  pas- 
sage, and  makes  the  name  of  the  castle  mean  (1.  242)  "  Troso?/r  \sic'\  of 
}>e  holy  vessel."  The  etymology  (!)  is  evidently  based  upon  the 
Hebrew  Corban,  as  is  suggested  by  Furnivall  in  a  footnote. 

122  30.  a  gentyhuo7nati  that  seineth  hath.  "This  seems  to  be  a 
confusion  of  two  constructions  :  (i)  '  That,  it  seemeth,  hath  need,'  and 
(2)  '  That  seemeth  to  have  need.'  The  fact  that  it,  if  inserted,  would 
easily  be  swallowed  up  in  the  final  t  of  that  may  have  helped  this  con- 
fusion. But  such  confusions  are  certainly  common  enough  where  there 
is  no  such  cause  visible."     K. 

123  6.  the  see  the  ivhiche  7vas  called  CoUybe.  An  evident  misunder- 
standing of  the  French  original.  Sommer  quotes  (ii,  158)  from  Furni- 
vall's  ed.  of  La  Queste  del  Sairit  Graal,  p.  179:  "Si  entrerent  en  vne 
forest  qui  duroit  iusc'a  la  mer.  et  estoit  chele  forest  apielee  chelibe." 

123  7.  at  the  ny.i^hte.  The  article  is  superfluous,  but  is  not  uncom- 
mon in  Middle  English.     Cf.  the  dcthe,  98  21. 


Bk.  XVII,  Cap.  III.]  NOTES.  283 

123  19.     the  shyp  wlierc  Bars  and  Percyval  were  in.     Cf.  Bk.  xvi,  17. 

124  33.  he  is  so  parfyte.  He  seems  to  refer  to  shyp,  though  O.  E. 
scip  is  neuter.      Cf.  125  13. 

125  2.     niys  creature,  i.e.,  an  unbeliever.     Cf.  myscreantes,  240  2. 
125  8.     in  7nyddes  of  the  shyp  was  a  fayr  bedde.     In  Lovelich's  iVb/y 

Grail,  ch.  38,  11.  196  seq.,  we  find  a  story  very  like  that  in  our  text, 
with  the  difference  that  Nasciens  is  alone  upon  the  ship.  Nutt's 
summary  of  the  Queste  del  Saint  Graal,  in  his  Studies,  p.  47,  runs  as 
follows  at  this  point :  "  They  enter  the  ship  and  find  a  rich  bed  with  a 
crown  at  its  head,  and  at  its  foot  a  sword  six  inches  out  of  the  scabbard, 
its  tip  a  stone  of  all  the  colours  in  the  world,  its  handle  of  the  bones  of 
two  beasts,  the  serpent  Papagast,  the  fish  Orteniaus ;  it  is  covered  with 
a  cloth  whereon  is  written  that  only  the  first  of  his  line  would  grasp  the 
sword." 

125  13.  there  was  in  hym.  A  lingering  relic  of  personal  gender  as 
applied  to  lifeless  objects.     Cf.  124  33. 

125  14.  everyche  of  the  colours  hadde  dyverse  vertues.  That  stones 
have  special  virtues  useful  to  man  was  a  universal  belief  in  the  Middle 
Ages.  See  a  full  account  of  the  matter  in  Les  Lapidaires  fi-an^ais  dit 
nioyen  age,  pubhes  par  Leopold  Pannier,  Paris,  1882.  Numerous  pas- 
sages in  mediaeval  literature  refer  to  this  belief.  In  the  Story  of  St. 
Eustace,  Gesta  Rom.  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  p.  89,  we  read  that  the  knight  finds  a 
precious  stone  colored  with  three  colors,  white,  red,  and  black.  He 
takes  it  to  a  lapidary  who  says  :  "  The  stone  has  three  virtues  :  whoever 
bears  the  stone  shall  be  joyful ;  if  poor  he  shall  become  rich  ;  if  he  has 
lost  anything  he  shall  find  it  with  joy." 

Other  interesting  references  are  :  Gesta  Rom.  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  pp.  335, 
359;  Ajicren  Riwle,-p.  134;  Piers  Plowman,  B  text,  pass,  ii,  14,  and 
Skeat's  note  ;  A'ing  Horn,  1.  57  i  ;  Ward,  Catalogue  of  Romances,  i,  427  ; 
Babees  Booke  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  p.  257;  Floris  and  Blanchiflur,  1.  393; 
Huon  of  Burdeux  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  pp.  453-455;  Child's  Ballads,  i,  201  ; 
.Skeat's  Chaucer,  v,  386. 

125  17.  Calydone.  Cf.  Le  Saint  Graal  (ed.  Hucher),  ii,  447  :  "  une 
maniere  de  serpent  qui  convierse  en  Calidoine." 

125  18.  the  bone.  The  virtues  of  bone  are  illustrated  in  Caxton's 
version  of  The  Hist,  of  Reynard  the  Fox,  p.  83  (Arber's  reprint).  The 
properties  of  various  stones  are  commented  upon,  and  then  remark  is 
made  of  a  comb  :  "  Hit  was  made  of  the  bone  of  a  clene  noble  beest 
named  Panthera  /  whiche  fedeth  hym  bytwene  thegrete  Indeand  erthly 
paradyse  /  .  .  .  this  panthera  hath  a  fair  boon  brode  and  thynne  /  whan 
so  is   that  this  beeste  is  slayn  al  the"  swete  odour  restid  in  the  bone 


284  NOTES.  [Bk.  XVII,  Cap.  III. 

which  can  not  be  broken  ne  shal  neuer  rote  ne  be  destroyed  by  fyre/ 
by  water /ne  by  smytyng  /  hit  is  so  hardy  ty[g]ht  and  faste/and  yet 
it  is  lyght  of  weyght." 

125  22.  Ertanax.  Le  Saint  Graal  reads  :  "  Chil  poissons  a  non 
Cortenans."  Lovelich's  Holy  Grail,  eh.  28,  1.  239,  has  "Tortenavs." 
Cf.  125  8. 

125  27.     shall  never  tnan  begfype  hym.     Cf.  22  10. 

126  22.  aferd  to  be  dede.  The  gerundive  infinitive.  See  Baldwin, 
248,  and  Kellner,  Blanch,  and  Egl.,  p.  Ixv. 

126  34.     dolorous  stroke.     Cf.  p.  73. 

127  12.  gyrdel.  Magic  girdles  are  common  in  mediaeval  literature. 
In  The  Sowdone  of  Babylone  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  11.  2303  seq.,  the  girdle  of 
Floripas  preserves  against  hunger  and  thirst  those  who  wear  it.  The 
same  thing  is  referred  to  in  Sir  Feruvibras  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  11.  2390  seq. 
The  girdle  given  to  Gawain  by  the  lady  of  the  castle  protected  him  from 
being  slain.  Sir  Gawayne  and  the  Green  Knight,  11.  1853  seq.  Cf.  also 
Sir  Beves  of  Hamtoun  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  p.  "]•],  and  Kolbing's  note,  p.  288. 
Girdles  that  awaken  love  for  the  wearer  have  been  numerous  since  the 
days  of  Homer.  Cf.  the  cestus  of  Aphrodite,  Iliad,  xiv,  214  seq.; 
Florimel's  girdle  in  Spenser's  Faery  Queene,  iii,  7  ;  Armida's  girdle  in 
Tdisso^s  Jerusalem  Delivered,  etc. 

127  15.  more  harder.  "Where  M[alory]  has  '  oughte  to  be  more 
harder '  R[oyal  MS.,  14  E.  iii,  Brit.  Mus.]  reads  'doit  estre  plus  preus  '; 
the  adjective  hard  is  therefore  used  in  the  sense  of  the  French  '  hardi.'  " 
Sommer,  iii,  218. 

127  18.  none  be  so  hardy  to  doo  awey.  Imperative  subjunctive.  Cf. 
Baldwin,  236  ;  for  the  infinitive,  249. 

127  19.  it  oughte  not  be  done  away.  Cf.  139  13:  "And  wel  oughte 
oure  Lord  be  sygnefyed." 

127  27.  He  that  shall  prayse  me  moost,  etc.  Cf.  Lovelich's  Holy 
Grail,  ch.  28,  11.  381  seq.  : 

hos  that  Me  preiseth  most  here. 

Most  Schal  I  hym  fynde  In  0\->er  Manere, 

So  that  In  gret  Nede  blamed  schal  he  not  be 

In  non  wise.  As  I  telle  it  the. 

and  to  hym  to  whom  I  scholde  ben  Most  debonayre, 

To  him  w/t//  most  Anger  I  wele  Repeire. 

127  29.  to  whome.  For  the  omission  of  the  antecedent,  see  Bald- 
win, 116. 

128  1.  a  fourtv  yere.  Ci.  an  eyght  dayes,\.  10;  2i\?.o  a  ten  or  twelve 
knyghtes,  140  7.     This  use  of  the  article  with  numerals  is  very  common. 


Bk.  XVII,  Cap.  VII.]  NOTES.  285 

Cf.  Baldwin,  15;   Kellner,  Eng.  Syntax,  %  259;   Koch.,  l/istoriscke  Gram., 
ii,  212. 

128  3.  Mordrayns.  The  name  taken  by  King  Evelak  after  he  was 
baptized.  For  Celtic  parallels,  see  Rhys's  Studies,  pp.  320-324,  342 ; 
for  his  part  in  the  Grail  legends,  see  Nutt's  Studies,  Index  i. 

128  28.  that  one.  For  the  survival  of  that  as  an  article,  see  Bald- 
win, 91. 

129  1.  seite  the  pecys  to  gyders.  Cf.  157  10.  This  incident  is 
paralleled  in  the  story  of  Peredur.  Cf.  Rhys's  Studies,  p.  141.  In  the 
Volsunga  Saga,  ch.  1 5,  Sigurd  pieces  together  a  broken  sword. 

129  15.     thou  were.     Cf.  O.  E.  '^ii  wSre. 

130  21.  token  a  mayden  planted  hit.  White  is  the  symbol  of  purity. 
Cf.  Rev.  iii,  4 ;  iv,  4  ;  vii,  9,  etc. 

130  29.  Caym.  Sommer  needlessly  emends  Caym  to  Cay^t.  The 
form  Caym  or  Cairn  is  very  common.  Cf.  Skeat's  note  to  Piers  Plow- 
man (E.  E.  T.  S.),  part  iv,  p.  12. 

130  31.  tree,  he.  He  evidently  refers  to  tree,  though  O.  E.  treow  is 
neuter.  Cf.  124  33,  125  13.  On  the  tree  here  referred  to  Skeat  remarks: 
"This 'tree  which  Abel  is  slain  under'  is  connected  with  the  curious 
'  Legend  of  the  Cross,'  discussed  in  S.  Baring  Gould's  '  Curious  Myths,' 
series  ii.  So  also  is  the  idea  ...  of  the  building  of  Solomon's  ship." 
Iiitrod.  \.o  Joseph  of  Arimathie  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  p.  xlv. 

132  4.  shyp.  The  story  is  taken  bodily  from  the  Queste  del  Saint 
Graal.  Cf.  Nutt's  Summary,  ^'///^//t'j',  p.  48.  For  the  further  adventures 
of  this  ship,  see  Lovelich's  Holy  Grail,  ch.  39. 

132  11.  kynge  Davyds  suerd,  your  fader.  Cf.  "  by  my  faders  soule, 
Utherpendragon,"  41  19. 

132  28.  soc  hyghe  a  thynge  whiche.  This  use  of  whiche  as  a  correla- 
tive instead  of  as  is  not  common.     Cf.  Baldwin,  104. 

132  32.     coverynge  to  the  shyp.      To  ^=  for.     Cf.  134  17,  19. 

133  11.  selar.  A  cut  of  a  bed  with  a  selar  or  canopy  is  given  in 
Jusserand's  Piers  Plow?na?t,  p.  198. 

134  1.  shoven  in  the  see,and  he.  Malory  uses /«  and /«/tf  very  loosely. 
The  confusion  of  genders  already  noted,  124  33,  130  31,  recurs  here. 

134  9.     at  certayne  :=:^  ctrinyne.     Cf.  Baldwin,  324,  3. 

134  29.  yfonde.  Cf.  O.  E.  gefunden,  past  participle  of  findan. 
We  ^-n^y-hurte,  174  31 ;  y-sought,  187  4. 

135  2.  Mever  of  Blood.  Sommer  remarks  (iii,  219):  "Through 
some  extraordinary  mistake  M.  has  .  .  .  '  the  shethe '  was  called 
'  meuer  of  blood  '  where  R.  reads  '  et^  Ii  f  uerres  a  a  non  memoire  de 
sens'"  i.e.,  memory  of  blood. 


286  AOTKS.  [Hk.  X VI 1,  Cap.  Vlll. 

135  6.  ami  pray  yow.  Tlie  ami  here  means  nothing  to  a  modern 
reader. 

135  25.  aryi'tn.  From  O.  F.  ariver.  The  past  participle  should 
properly  be  aryved,  but  the  analogy  of  verbs  of  the  first  strong  conju- 
gation, e.g.  O.  E.  drlfaii,  produced  the  strong  past  participle  aryven. 

136  3.     herd  an  home  blowe.     Cf.  76  3. 

137  11.  Here  was  lorde  erle  Hernox,  etc.  This  story  parallels  at 
some  points  that  on  p.  109,  ante. 

137  29.  fiever  shold  we  have  slayne  so  many  men,  etc.  But  cf. 
112  4. 

138  3.     holdeth  me.     Cf.  87  20. 

138  8.     the  maimed  kyng.     Cf.  129  19. 

138  31.  glas  wyndowe.  Glass  windows  were  known  in  England 
even  in  Bede's  time.     Cf.  Traill's  Social  England,  i,  193. 

139  2.     in  ^  into.     Cf.  134  1. 

139  5.  astoiiyed.  This  word,  which  occurs  in  the  King  James  ver- 
sion of  the  Bible,  has  been  occasionally  used  down  to  our  own  time. 
Cf.  N.  E.  D.,  s.  V. 

139  13.     oiighte  .   .  .  be  sygnefyed.     Cf.  127  19. 

140  6.     in  what  place.      W7/^7/  =  whatever.     Cf.  Baldwin,  105. 
140  7.     a  ten  or  twelve.     Cf.  128  1,  144  10,  230  19. 

140  12.  shalle  yeve  this  dysshe  ful  of  blood.  Gawain,  as  we  read  in 
Lancelot  du  Lac,  had  on  one  occasion  the  alternative  of  giving  a  helmet 
full  of  his  own  blood  or  of  fighting.  He  gives  the  blood  to  cure  a 
wounded  knight,  and  thus  heals  his  brother  Agra  vain.  P.  Paris, 
Romans  de  la  Table  Ronde,  iii,  321-324. 

141  9.     in  lyke  hard.     Lyhe  =  a.\ike,  equally.     Cf.  Baldwin,  334,  6. 

141  25.  which  we  and  this  castel  is  hers.  The  French  reads  :  "  Voirs 
fu,  et  est,  qu'il  a  chaiens  vne  dame  a  qui  nous  sommes  et  tint  chil  de 
chest  pais,  et  chis  chaistians  est  siens,  et  maint  autre."  Cf.  Sommer, 
iii,  219. 

I  incline  to  think  that  Malory's  singular  translation  is  due  to  care- 
lessness, and  is  not,  as  Baldwin  (112)  supposes,  "an  attempt  to  express 
the  genitive  of  the  relative."  Malory's  eye  was  attracted  by  the  words 
"qui  nous,"  which  he  translated  without  considering  that  they  were  a 
part  of  the  clause  "  a  qui  nous  sommes."  The  French,  of  course, 
expresses  the  "  genitive  of  the  relative."  Wynkyn  de  Worde  reads  : 
"  which  we  have." 

142  1.     blood  shold  be  her  hele.     Cf.  69  32. 

142  15.  easyd  with  the  best.  Cf.  Chaucer's  esed  atte  teste,  C.  T- 
Prol.,  1.  29. 


Bk.  XVII,  Car  XIV.j  A'07'ES.  287 

142  30.     /;//  tne  in  a  bote.     Cf.   the  story  of   Elaine,   195    23.     The 
incident  points  to  a  custom  of  great  antiquity.     Cf.  Beowulf : 

At  the  hour  that  was  fated 

Scyld  then  departed  to  the  All-Father's  keeping, 

Warlike  to  wend  him  ;  away  then  they  bare  him 

To  the  flood  of  the  current,  his  fond-loving  comrades, 

As  himself  he  had  bidden,  while  the  friend  of  the  Scyldings 

Word-sway  wielded,  long  did  rule  them.     The  ring-stemmed  vessel, 

Bark  of  the  atheling,  lay  there  at  anchor, 

Icy  in  glimmer  and  eager  for  sailing; 

The  beloved  leader  laid  they  down  there, 

Giver  of  rings,  on  the  breast  of  the  vessel, 

The  famed  by  the  mainmast. 

Hall's  Translation,  11.  26-37. 

For  other  instances  of  burial  in  a  ship,  see  Gummere's  Germanic 
Origins,  pp.   322-327. 

143  20.  was  seaced.  Ci.l^^  A,ivhat  was  fallen.  For  other  examples 
of  this  use  of  the  auxiliary  verb,  see  Baldwin,  264  (b). 

144  20.  to  gyder  "  \%  sometimes  used  with  reciprocal  force."  Bald- 
win, 132,  4. 

144  23.  as  hit  is  rekerced  before.  This  possibly  refers  to  Bk.  xv,  6, 
but  not  certainly. 

145  5.  fonde  a  shyp.  Cf.  Launcelot's  wandering  ship  with  the  one 
in  which  Huon  of  Burdeux  is  carried  with  incredible  swiftness  through 
the  sea.     Rotnance  of  H.  of  B.  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  pp.  439  seq. 

145  8.  alle  t/iynge.  The  invariable  form  for  the  plural  occasionally 
appears.     But  cf.  the  spyrytucl  thynges,  164  2;  to  thynges,  164  14. 

145   12.     to  the  shyps  borde,  i.e.,  at  the  side  of  the  ship. 

145  16.  in  hir  ryght  hand  a  wrytte.  Cf.  the  letter  in  the  hand  of 
the  dead  Elayne,  196  23. 

145  20.  Yf  yc  wold  aske,  etc.  The  meaning  is  clear  enough,  but  the 
sentence  is  a  good  example  of  the  anacoluthon  so  common  in  the  older 
writers.  For  other  examples,  see  Kellner,  Eng.  Syntax,  pp.  40, 
181-183. 

145  25.  to  playe  hyvt.  For  the  other  reflexive  verbs  in  \.\\^  Morte 
Darthur,  see  Baldwin,  313. 

147  18.     other.     For  this  use  of  other,  see  Baldwin,  132  (d). 

147  29.  two  lyons  kept  the  entry.  In  Torrent  of  Portyngale  (E.  E. 
T.  S.),  11.  28-2S8,  the  castle  of  the  giant  is  guarded  by  lions.  The  two 
chained  lions  that  guard  the  entrance  to  the  house  Beautiful  are  familiar 
to  every  reader  i^f  Banyan's  Pilgrim's  Progress. 


288  NOTES.  [Uk.  XVII,  Cap.  XIV. 

Tennyson  puts  the  following  words  into  the  mouth  of  Launcelot: 

1  heard  the  sliingle  grinding  in  the  surge, 

And  felt  the  boat  shock  earth,  and  looking  up, 

Behold,  the  enchanted  towers  of  Carbonek, 

A  castle  like  a  rock  upon  a  rock, 

With  chasm-like  portals  open  to  the  sea, 

And  steps  that  met  the  breaker !  there  was  none 

Stood  near  it  but  a  lion  on  each  side 

ft 

That  kept  the  entry,  and  the  moon  was  full. 
Then  from  the  boat  1  leapt,  and  up  the  stairs. 
There  drew  my  sword.     With  sudden-flaring  manes 
Those  two  great  beasts  rose  upright  like  a  man. 
Each  gript  a  shoulder  and  I  stood  between ; 
And,  when  I  would  have  smitten  them,  heard  a  voice, 
"  Doubt  not,  go  forward  ;  if  thou  doubt,  the  beasts 
Will  tear  thee  piecemeal."     Then  with  violence 
The  sword  was  dash'd  from  out  my  hand  and  fell. 

The  Holy  Grail. 

148  9.  on  =  in.  For  the  various  uses  of  on,  see  Baldwin,  339. 
148  ]3.  ye  .  .  .  yottre.  Cf.  thee  .  .  .  thy  .  .  .  thou,  1.  12.  The 
confusion  of  singular  and  plural  forms  in  pronouns  of  the  second  per- 
son is  common  enough  in  Middle  English.  Cf.  Kellner,  Eng.  Syntax, 
pp.  175,  176;  Blanch,  and  E^L,  pp.  xxix,  xxx.  In  the  language  of 
devotion  the  plural  forms  appear  to  modern  taste  somewhat  peculiar. 

148  21.     at  the  last,  etc.    Cf.  Tennyson's  continuation  of  Launcelot's 
narrative : 

At  the  last  I  reach'd  a  door, 

A  light  was  in  the  crannies,  and  I  heard, 

"  Glory  and  joy  and  honour  to  our  Lord 

And  to  the  Holy  vessel  of  the  Grail." 

Then  in  my  madness  I  essay'd  the  door; 

It  gave ;  and  thro'  a  stormy  glare,  a  heat 

As  from  a  seventimes-heated  furnace,  I, 

Blasted  and  burnt,  and  blinded  as  I  was. 

With  such  a  fierceness  that  I  swoon'd  away  — 

O,  yet  methoiight  I  saw  the  Holy  Grail, 

All  pall'd  in  crimson  samite,  and  around 

Great  angels,  awful  shapes,  and  wings  and  eyes. 

And  but  for  all  my  madness  and  my  sin. 

And  then  my  swooning,  I  had  sworn  I  saw 

That  which  I  saw,  but  what  I  saw  was  veil'd 

And  cover'd ;  and  this  Quest  was  not  for  me. 

The  Holy  Grail. 


Bk.  XVII,  Cap.  XVII.]  NOTES.  289 

149  1-3.  sawe  a  table  of  sylver,  aic.  King  Alphasan,  in  Lovelich's 
Holy  Grail,  ch.  55,  11.  280  seq.,  has  a  vision  of  the  Grail,  agreeing  in 
many  details  with  that  in  our  text. 

149  14.  wherof  one.  Note  the  use  of  w//«-(7/"  instead  of  the  genitive 
of  the  relative  pronoun.     Cf.  Baldwin,  112. 

149  34.  he  f die  to  the  ert/ie,  etc.  Cf.  the  fate  of  Launcelot  on  seeing 
the  Grail  with  that  of  Mordreins,  who  disregards  the  voice  telling  him 
to  come  no  nearer  to  the  Grail,  and  thereby  loses  his  strength  and  his 
sight.     Lovelich's  Holy  Grail,  ch.  46,  11.  239  seq. 

150  8.  were  aryseii.  Cf.  was  seaced,  143  ao  ;  also  was  so  befalle, 
152  15  ;  but  cf.  had  befallen,  154  12. 

150  23.    also^]\\%t  as.     Cf.  151  6,  and  N.  E.  D.,  s.  v. 
150  26.     why  have  ye  awaked  me  ?     Cf.  237  15. 

150  28.     who  .  .  .  that.     For  the  construction,  see  Baldwin,  104  (a). 

151  II.  /^<;>'r^  =  hair  shirt.  Cf.  11.  20,  27.  The  word  in  this  sense 
is  common.  See  Stratmann-Bradley's  Middle  Eng.  Diet.;  Skeat's 
Chaucer,  Gloss.  ;   Skeat's  Piers  Plowtnait,  Gloss.,  etc. 

151  30.  they  kiiewe  hym  that  he  was.  Cf.  "  I  know  thee  who  thou 
art,"  Luke,  iv,  34. 

152  8.     daughter  was  dede.     -She  was  Perceval's  sister. 

152  13.     at  kynge  Pelles.     Cf.  Baldwin,  324,  2. 

153  6.     and  thenne.     A  modern  writer  would  suppress  the  and. 
153  9.     oure  dremes.     For  an  account  of  these  and  their  interpreta- 
tion, see  Bk.  xvi,  1-5. 

153   10.     myghte  =  zo\AA  go. 

153  19.  whyte  abbay.  Probably  an  abbey  of  Cistercian  monks,  who 
wore  a  white  habit.  F'or  an  account  of  the  hospitality  extended  to 
strangers  by  monasteries  in  the  Middle  Ages,  see  Traill's  Social  Eng- 
latid,  i,  218,  219,  385.  Schultz,  Das  h'dfische  Leben,  i,  519,  remarks: 
"  Die  Kloster  gewiihrten  wohl  dem  Reisenden  Gastfreundschaft,  aber 
das  Ilalten  eines  Wirthshauses  war  ihnen  ausdriicklich  untersagt." 
His  further  remarks  on  the  reception  and  entertainment  of  guests  at 
inns,  castles,  etc.,  are  worth  reading.  Jusserand's  comments  on  mon- 
asteries and  inns,  English  Wayfaring  Life  in  the  Fourteenth  Century, 
pp.  126-137,  are  interesting. 

153  23.  Here  lyeth  kynge  Bagdemagus.  Singularly  enough,  king 
Bagdemagus  appears  alive  and  well  in  Bk.  xx,  19.  This  affords  another 
striking  illustration  of  the  difficulty  Malory  found  in  attempting  to  com- 
bine in  one  harmonious  whole  the  materials  which  he  drew  from 
different  sources. 

154  1.     the  adventure  of  tlie  tombes.     Seep.  \  02,  ante. 


290  NOTES.  [Bk.  XVII,  Cap.  XVII. 

154  2.     whyte  sheld  with  the  reed  crosse.     Cf.  97  14. 

154   12.     had  befallen.     Cf.  150  8. 

154  26.     blynd.     Cf.  149  34. 

154  26.  of  long  ty?ne.  Of=irom  or  possibly  during.  For  the 
great  variety  of  senses  in  which  of\?,  used  by  Malory,  see  Baldwin,  338. 

154  30.  vyrgyn.  Cf.  "  These  are  they  which  were  not  defiled  with 
women  ;  for  they  are  virgins,"  Rev.  xiv,  4  ;  "  Galahad  is  a  mayd," 
111  33. 

154  31.  the  lyly,  in  whoiue.  This  use  of  W/ow^,  referring  to  an  ante- 
cedent without  life,  is  not  common. 

155  5.  Theniie  .  .  .  thenne  =  when  .  .  .  tlien.  Cf.  the  O.  E.  cor- 
relatives 'Sa  .  .  .  ^a. 

155  12.  departede.  The  terminal  -e  is  perhaps  not  to  be  regarded  as 
a  survival  of  the  O.  E.  preterite  ending  -ede,  but  rather  as  a  mere  slip. 

155  19.    yi;r  =  as. 

156  20.  mette  at  travers.  The  N.  E.  D.  defines  at  travers  as  "  A. 
adv.  Crosswise,  sidewise.  B.  prep.  Across,"  and  cites  three  examples 
of  its  use.  Here  the  meaning  appears  to  be  that  Bors  was  riding  in  a 
direction  at  right  angles  to  that  of  Galahad. 

157  2.  Elyazar  under  the  name  of  Elizer  appears  frequently  in  the 
prose  Merlin.     See  pp.  521-590. 

157  10.  sette  hem  to gyders.  Cf.  129  1.  In  Lovelich's  Holy  Grail, 
ch.  49,  11.  392  seq.,  is  an  account  of  the  sword  that  wounds  Joseph  and 
is  then  broken.  The  pieces  are  not  to  be  joined  till  the  coming  of  the 
one  who  shall  end  the  adventures  of  the  Holy  Grail. 

157  24.  sawc  knyghtes  al  armed  came  in.  The  relative  pronoun  is 
omitted  before  came.     Cf.  Baldwin,  ii5.' 

157  32.  bed  of  tree,  i.e.,  of  wood.  Cf.  Chaucer,  "  He  hath  nat  every 
vessel  al  of  gold,  somme  been  of  tree.  Wife  of  Bath's  Prol.,  1.  100. 
Cf.  also  the  adjective  treen,  which  continued  to  be  used  till  late  in  the 
17th  century. 

158  20.  Surras.  Says  Rhys,  Studies,  pp.  396,  397  :  "  We  are  by  no 
means  certain  that  Sarras  may  not  likewise  be  a  form  of  the  Welsh 
Gwanas,  more  distorted  than  in  the  case  of  Ganys.  ...  It  is  clear  that 
Gwanas  was  one  of  the  most  remarkable  burial-places  known  to  Welsh 
tradition.  On  the  other  hand,  the  importance  of  Sarras  is  very  mani- 
fest in  the  pages  of  Malory,  who  speaks  of  it  as  the  City  of  Sarras,  pos- 
sessed of  a  'spyrytual  place,'  wherein  were  buried  Galahad,  together 
with  Perceval  and  his  sister."  Rhys's  suggestion  has  only  the  value 
of  a  mere  conjecture.  He  naturally  makes  nothing  of  the  reference  to 
Babyloyne,  165  16. 


Bk.  XVII,  Cap.  XXI.]  NOTES.  291 

15S  26.  a  spere  whtche  bled  merveillously.  This  spear  was  identi- 
fied with  the  spear  which  pierced  the  side  of  Jesus  on  the  cross.  Accord- 
ing to  Gibbon,  Decline  atid  Fall  of  the  Roman  Empire,  ch.  Iviii,  this  was 
found  at  the  taking  of  Antioch  in  1098.  For  the  importance  of  the 
spear  in  the  Grail  legends,  see  Nutt's  Studies,  Index  i,  ii  {Lance). 

159  3.  at  the  lyftynge  up,  i.e.,  at  the  elevation  of  the  host  for  the 
adoration  of  the  worshipers. 

159  4.  and  the  vysage.  Note  the  use  of  and  the  in  place  of  and  his, 
which  is  rare.     Cf.  Baldwin,  57. 

159  16.  sawe  a  man  come  oute  of  the  holy  vessel.  Rhys,  Studies, 
p.  327,  compares  this  with  the  issuing  of  the  three  muses  from  the 
tripod  of  the  oracle  in  ancient  Hellas  ;  but  this  seems  to  be  a  rather 
fanciful  parallel. 

159  27.  they  thoughte  it  soo  swete.  Note  the  personal  rather  than 
the  impersonal  construction  in  they  thoughte. 

159  31.     the  holy  dysshe.     Cf.  85  30. 

159  32.  Sherthiirsday.  "  Shere  Thursday  is  the  Thursday  before 
Easter,  and  is  so  called,  says  an  old  homily,  '  for  that  in  old  Fathers' 
days  the  people  would  that  day  shere  theyr  hedes  and  clypp  theyr 
berdes,  and  pool  theyr  heedes,  and  so  make  them  honest  ayenst  Easter 
day.'  It  was  also  called  Maundy  Thursday."  Brand's  Fop.  Antiq. 
(ed.  Ellis),  i,  142-150.  A  number  of  interesting  customs  belonging  to 
the  day  are  there  described. 

160  2-5.  /■/  shalle  departe  .  .  .  for  he  is  not  served,  etc.  For  other 
instances  of  confusion  in  the  gender  of  the  pronouns,  see  Baldwin, 

59- 

160  5.     to  his  ryghte.      7^?  =  according  to. 

160  12.  of  the  blood.  A  partitive  construction.  Cf.  "  of  hem  of 
the  Round  Table,"  161  11.  Cf.  also  Chaucer's  "  Of  smale  houndes  had 
she."     Prol.  to  C  T.,  1.  146. 

160  22.  blood.  The  healing  power  attributed  to  blood  has  been  dis- 
cussed in  69  32.  In  the  case  before  us  in  this  passage  the  blood  has  a 
peculiar  sanctity,  and  hence  a  curative  power  surpassing  that  in  the 
instances  before  noted. 

160  25.  hole  =  \\\\o\Q.  Cf.  O.  E.  hdl.  "At  the  beginning  of  the 
sixteenth  century  a  habit  arose  of  prefixing  w  to  h  when  the  vowel  0 
followed  it  in  certain  words.  Thus  M.  E.  /;W  became  a;/4^/.f."  Skeat, 
Prin.  of  Eng.  Etym.,  series  i,  p.  377. 

160  27.  to  the  world  warfl'=  toward  the  world.  Cf.  "to  the  deth 
ward,"  42  7. 

161  u.     of  hem  of  the  Round  Table.     Cf.  160  12. 


292  NOTES.  [Hk.  XVII,  Cap.  XXI. 

161  22.  at  what  tyme ^^2ii  whatever  time,  whenever.  T/iat,  1.  23,  is 
redundant. 

162  22.  knyghtes  fuerveyls.  Merveyls  may  be  construed  as  a  noun, 
but  probably  it  should  be  regarded  as  an  adjective  contracted  from 
merveyllous. 

163  2.  SancgreaU  thorow  whoos  grace.  Cf.  "  the  lyly,  in  whome," 
154  31. 

163  21.     ///^  j-^//"  (/(Zj)/^  =  the  same  day. 

164  4.     //^«/ Ma/ =  that  which  ^  what. 
164  9.     w/^(?/=who. 

164  22.  rcmembre  of.  (?/':=  concerning.  As  here  used  it  is  almost 
an  expletive. 

164  25.  angels  bare  his  soiile  up  to  heven.  This  notion  was  popular 
in  the  Middle  Ages,  particularly  in  saints'  lives.  Launcelot's  soul  is 
carried  by  angels  to  heaven.  Cf.  237  20.  In  Lovelich's  Holy  Grail, 
ch.  15,  1.  670,  three  angels  bear  Salustine's  soul  to  God.  Bede  tells  a 
similar  story  of  St.  Earcongota,  Hist.  Eccl.,  iii,  8,  and  of  St.  Chad,  iv,  3. 

In  the  legend  of  Juliana  (E.  E.  T.  S.,  Orig.  Series  li),  p.  76,  her  body 
is  borne  to  heaven  by  angels  with  a  song.  Stories  differing  in  detail, 
but  agreeing  in  the  main  incident,  are  related  of  St.  Guthlac  {^Exeter 
Book,  ed.  GoUancz),  1.  1305;  of  St.  Edith,  Women  Saints  (E.  E.  T.  S., 
Orig.  Series  Ixxxvi),  p.  103;  of  St.  Martin,  Early  South  Eng.  Legendary 
(E.  E.  T.  S.,  Orig.  Series  Ixxxvii),  p.  456  ;  of  Mary  Magdalene,  ibid.,  pp. 
478-480  ;  of  St.  Werburge,  Bradshaw's  Life  of  St.  W.  (E.  E.  T.  S.,  Orig. 
Series  Ixxxviii),  11.  30S9-3118  ;  of  Richard  Rolle  of  Hampole,  who  was 
carried  to  heaven  in  a  chariot  of  fire.  See  Latin  verses  (E.  E.  T.  S., 
Orig.  Series  xx),  p.  xxxii ;  of  St.  Katherine,  whose  "body  was  borne  xij 
iurneys  longe  upon  the  mount  Synay  by  the  aungeles  of  heuen,  where 
as  her  blessed  bodi  yeldithe  oyle  vnto  this  daye,"  La  Tour-Landry 
(E.  E.  T.  S.,  Orig.  Series  xxxiii),  p.  1 17  ;  of  Roland,  Chanson  de  Roland, 
1.  2395.  This  motive  appears  twice  in  The  Eremite  and  the  Outlawe, 
Engl.  Stud.,  xiv,  171  seq.  Cf.  also  the  Visioji  of  St.  Paul,  Ward, 
Catalogue  of  Roma7zces,  ii,  403,  411.  Lastly  we  note  the  famous  picture 
of  Judgment  Day,  in  the  Campo  Santo  at  Pisa,  where  the  good  angels 
contend  with  the  bad  for  the  possession  of  souls. 

165  3.     /«  =  into. 

165  14.   spy ryt2iel tees.   For  this  and  similar  plurals,  see  Baldwin,  14  (a). 

165  25.     cronycle  of.     For  this  use  of  of,  see  Baldwin,  338,  9. 

166  2.     by  me,  i.e.,  through  me. 

166  12.     a//^^at,  not  to  be  confused  with  Chaucer's  atte  =  at  the. 
166  13.     whyles.     The  rare  form  whyles-t,  1.  16,  with  added  t,  shows 
the  modern  form  in  process  of  making. 


Bk.  XVIII.] 


NOTES. 


293 


BOOK    XVIII. 

I.     Connecting  Link. 

The  connection  between  Book  XVII  and  Book  XVIII,  chapter 
viii,  is  sufficiently  indicated  by  the  headings  of  the  chapters  as 
printed  in  Caxton's  Table  of  Contents,  p.  lo. 

II.     Source. 1 

In  our  examination  of  the  source  of  the  preceding  books,  the 
case  has  been  so  clear  that  a  mere  reference  to  Sommer's  discus- 
sion has  been  sufficient.  With  regard  to  Books  XVIII  and  XXI, 
the  matter  is  somewhat  more  difficult.  Book  XIX  is  a  mere 
episode  in  the  story  of  Launcelot,  and  reproduces  with  character-  •\ 
istic  changes  the  adventure  of  Launcelot  in  the  cart,  as  related  in 
Chrestien  de  Troyes'  Rotnan  de  la  Charrette  and  in  the  French 
Lancelot.  The  other  three  books,  XVIII,  XX,  XXI,  are  paralleled 
in  their  general  features  by  two  works,  the  French  prose  Lancelot 
and  the  15th-century  English  poem  entitled  Le  Morte  Arthttr, 
edited  from  the  Harl.  MS.  2252,  by  F.  J.  Furnivall,  1864.  Minor 
differences,  particularly  in  arrangement,  occur,  but  there  is  suffi- 
cient agreement  to  prove  that  the  ultimate  source  is  the  same. 

Sommer  points  out  the  general  agreement  in  a  convenient  table, 
which  I  quote  : 

P(rose)  L{ancelot). 


M(alory). 


C  Ch.  i-viii. 
Book  XVIII.  \  Ch.  ix-xx. 


Ch.  xxi-xxv. 


[Book  XIX.] 
Book  XX. 
Book  XXI. 


vol.  iii,ff.  143^,  144"^)  160-166''. 
vol.  iii,  ff.  144^-160''. 

[vol.  ii,  ff.  1-23.] 
vol.  iii,  ff.  166-190''. 
vol.  iii,  ff.  190^-202. 


M.     H. 

Arthur, 

{  11.   l-i 


{Morte 
Harl.). 

671. 


11.  1672-2951. 
11.  2952-3969. 


It  will  be  observed  that  for  chapters  xxi-xxv  of  Book  XVIII, 
P.  L.  or  I\L  H.  cannot  be  regarded  as  Malory's  source.  The 
question,  however,  is  presented  whether   P.   L.  or  M.  H.  can  be 


1  For  Sommer's  discussion  of  the  source  of  Book  XVIII,  see  iii,  220-332. 


294  NOTES.  [Bk.  XVIII. 

taken  as  the  source  of  chapters  i-xx.  The  analysis  which  Sommer 
gives  of  P.  L.  shows  a  close  general  agreement  with  Malory's 
version,  yet  with  numerous  minor  variations  that  make  probable 
the  view  that  another  F'rench  version  must  be  assumed  as  the 
actual  original  that  Malory  used.  Sommer  remarks  (iii,  229)  : 
"Though  M(alory)  and  P.  L.  vary  in  numberless  points,  the 
critic's  eye  cannot  fail  to  distinctly  recognize  in  P.  L.  the  basis  of 
M.'s  account."  The  weight  to  be  given  to  these  variations  will  be 
estimated  differently  by  different  critics.  In  view  of  the  proba- 
bility that  a  lost  French  version  is  to  be  assumed  as  the  basis  of 
Books  XX  and  XXI,  it  seems  safe  to  assume  a  lost  French  version 
for  Book  XVI 1 1. 1 

As  for  the  English  metrical  romance  (M.  H.),  there  is  little  or 
no  reason  to  think  that  Malory  used  it  for  Book  XVIII.  The 
differences  are  of  such  an  extent  and  character  as  to  indicate  that 
Malory  and  the  author  of  M.  H.  made  their  versions  in  entire 
independence.  For  example,  the  conversation  of  Launcelot  with 
the  queen  (xviii,  8)  differs  in  important  particulars  from  that  in 
M.  H.,  II.  69  seq.  In  M.,  xviii,  Launcelot  goes  to  the  castle  of  a 
baron,  Bernard  of  Astolat  ;  in  M.  H.  the  name  of  the  lord  of 
Ascolot  is  not  given,  and  he  is  called  an  Erie,  I.  137.  In  11.  177 
seq.,  Elaine  declares  her  love  to  Launcelot  before  asking  him 
to  wear  her  token.  Launcelot  replies  to  her  request,  M.  H., 
11.   215,  216: 

"  So  did  I  neuyr  no  ladyes  ere, 
Bot  one  that  most  hatha  lovid«  me." 

In  M.  he  says  :  "I  doo  more  for  youre  love  than  ever  I  dyd  for 
lady  or  damoysel." 

In  M.,  chapter  ix,  Launcelot  borrows  only  a  shield  ;  in  M.  H.,  1. 
174,  he  borrows  armor  and  a  horse.  In  M.  H.  the  names  of  the 
sons,  Lavayne  and  Tirre,  are  not  given.  In  M.,  chapter  ix, 
Launcelot  and  Lavayne  lodge  before  the  tournament  with  "a  riche 

1  Since  writing  this  opinion  I  find  that  Wechssler,  in  his  discussion  of  the 
Graal-Lancclot-Cyclus,  p.  36,  remarks:  "Sommer  giebt  eine  sorgfaltige  Ver- 
gleichung,  aus  der  erhellt,  dass  Malory  auch  hier  das  selbstandige  Originalwerk 
ubertragen  hat."  In  a  footnote  he  adds :  "  Sommer  hat  versaumt,  diesen  Schluss 
zu  Ziehen." 


Bk.  XVIII,  Cap.  VIII.]  NOTES.  295 

burgeis  "  ;  in  M.  H.  Launcelot  and  one  of  the  sons  lodge  with  the 
young  fellow's  aunt.  In  M.,  chapter  ix,  before  the  tournament, 
Arthur  alone  recognizes  Launcelot  as  the  knight  is  entering  his 
lodging.  The  king  is  in  a  garden  beside  the  castle  ;  in  M.  H., 
11.  105,  106  : 

The  kinge  stode  on  a  tour  on  highte 

Sir  Ev\vay[n]e  clepis  he  \)a\.  tyde. 

Arthur  asks  him  if  he  knows  the  knight.  After  a  moment  they 
both  recognize  him,  1.  119. 

Variations  such  as  these  can  be  cited  without  end.  The  con- 
clusion to  which  they  point  evidently  is,  that  M.  and  M.  H.,  as  far 
as  Book  XVI II  is  concerned,  are  based  upon  a  common  original, 
but  that  two  slightly  differing  versions  served  as  the  actual  work- 
ing originals  of  the  two  translations. 

The  relation  of  Book  XXI  to  M.  H.  can  best  be  treated  in  the 
introduction  to  Book  XXI. 

167  1.     Lady  Daye,  Assttmpcyon.     August  15. 

The  form  Lady  is  a  "  survival  of  the  O.  E.  weak  feminine  genitive." 
Cf.  Baldwin,  10  (d)  ;  Chaucer,  Prol.  to  C.  T.,  1.  88,  h^is,  lady  grace.  The 
older  form  is  ladye,  the  e  representing  the  genitive  ending. 

167  2.  a  gretejiistes.  Cf.  thise  justys,  167  13,  and  that  justes,  168  17, 
169  30.     This  justys  occnrs  515  I  (Sommer). 

167  3.     Camelot,  that  is,  Wynchester.    See  49  15. 

167  8.  Anguysshe.  K\\y'&,  Studies, 'g.ZT,(),\denX.\^e?,  Anguysshe  \\'\\.\\ 
Geoffrey  of  Monmouth's  Augicseltis  or  Angusehis  {Hist.  Reg.  Brit.,  ix, 
9,  17  ;  xi,  i).  Geoffrey  makes  him  a  brother  of  Lot  and  Urien.  In  old 
writings  the  names  Scotland  and  Ireland  are  used  more  or  less  inter- 
changeably. 

167  9.  Galahaut  the  haute  prynce.  Rhys  regards  the  name  Gala- 
had "  merely  as  the  romancers'  way  of  reproducing  the  Welsh  name  of 
Gwalchavet  or  Gwalchaved.  Galahad  or  Galaad  had  also  the  form 
Galahaut,  which  was  frequently  made  into  Galahalt.  Malory  attempts 
to  distinguish  them  as  follows  :  Lancelot's  son,  the  Grail  knight,  is 
oftenest  called  by  him  Galahad  and  Galahalt,  and  sometimes  the  epithet 
is  added  of  the  haute pryiue  [ii,  16,  19  ;  xiii,  4  ;  xvii,  i].  But  as  a  rule 
this  is  reserved  by  him  for  Breunor's  son,  whom  he  calls  Galahaut  or 
Galahalt  and  Galahad  ;  he  is  described  as  lord  of  the  country  of  Sur- 
luse.     This  second  Galahad  of  Surluse  is  the  Galehaut  mentioned  in 


296  NOTES.  [Bk.  XVIII,  Cap.  IX. 

the  prose  version  of  the  Charrette  as  king  of  the  Far  Away  Isles,  and 
regarded  by  M.  Paris  as  a  comparatively  late  invention.  In  other 
words,  these  two  Galahads  were  at  first  but  one,  namely,  the  knight  of 
Grail  celebrity,  and  to  him  alone  appertained,  presumably,  the  epithet 
of  haute  or  noble  prince."     Studies,  pp.  i66,  167. 

In  the  Scottish  metrical  romance  of  Lancelot  0/ the  Laik  (E.  E.  T.  S.) 
is  a  long  account  of  the  invasion  of  Arthur's  territory  by  Galiot  ("  le 
roy  de  oultre  les  marches  nomme  galehault  "). 

167  17.     excepte  at  Wytsofttyde.     Cf.  84  6,  90,  91. 

167  24.  wound,  the  whiche  Sire  Mador  had gyveti  hym.  Sir  Mador 
had  accused  the  queen  of  causing  the  death  of  a  knight  by  means  of 
a  poisoned  apple.  Launcelot  fights  with  Mador  for  the  queen,  and,  by 
overcoming  him,  clears  the  queen  of  the  charge.     See  Bk.  xviii,  3-7. 

168  1.  Astolot  .  .  .  now  .  .  .  called  Gylford.  Guildford,  in  Surrey, 
is  an  ancient  town  mentioned  in  King  Alfred's  will.  According  to 
Malory,  xviii,  3,  Arthur  with  his  court  had  been  in  London.  As  Malory 
identifies  Camelot  with  Winchester,  his  geography  is  very  simple.  He, 
of  course,  could  hardly  have  made  anything  out  of  Rhys's  identifica- 
tions. Rhys,  Studies,  p.  150,  remarks  :  "  Malory's  Astolat  is  otherwise 
called  Escalot,  a  name  which  cannot  be  overlooked  as  identical  with 
that  of  Shalott,  borne  by  an  islet  moored  by  lilies  in  the  river  flowing 
down  to  Camelot.  It  figures  in  a  poem  of  Tennyson's,"  etc.  In  a  note, 
p.  393,  he  observes  that  "  the  original  of  the  name  .  .  .  was  probably 
Alclut,  the  old  Welsh  name  of  the  Rock  of  Dumbarton  in  the 
Clyde." 

168  4.    ye  are gretely  to  blame,  etc.     Cf.  Tennyson's  Elaine: 

To  blame,  my  lord  Sir  Lancelot,  much  to  blame ! 
Why  go  ye  not  to  these  fair  jousts .-' 

168  13.     it  is  of  late  come  syn  ye  were  wyse.     Cf.  Tennyson's  Elaine : 

Are  ye  so  wise  ?  ye  were  not  once  so  wise. 

169  4.  dyd  walke.  The  expletive  dyd  became  established  in  the 
language  in  the  course  of  the  i  5th  century.  For  a  history  of  the  con- 
struction, see  Lounsbury's  Hist,  of  the  Eng.  Lang.  (1894),  pp.  156,  438. 
For  other  instances  in  Malory,  see  Baldwin,  26S. 

169  19.     lene  me  a  shelde.     Cf.  Tennyson's  Elaine: 

Hereafter  ye  shall  know  me  —  and  the  shield  — 
I  pray  you  lend  me  one,  if  such  you  have. 
Blank,  or  at  least  with  some  device  not  mine. 


Bk.  XVIII,  Cap.  IX.]  NOTES.  297 

The  d  in  modern  English  lett-d  is  excrescent.     For  other  examples,  see 
Skeat's  E)ig.  Etytn.,  series  i,  i,  370. 

169  20.  not  openly  knowen.  Launcelot  appears  disguised  in  Kay's 
armor,  vi,  12.  In  Lovelich's  Holy  Grail,  ch.  52,  11.  365  seq.,  Orcaws 
fights  in  disguise,  with  the  purpose  of  concealing  his  name  and  station. 
Cf.  Peredur,  Nutt's  Studies,  p.  162  ;  Richard,  in  the  romance  of  Richard 
Ca'itr  de  Lion,  Ellis's  analysis,  p.  289.  See  also  Jacobs's  List  of  Inci- 
dents,  "  Disguised  Hero." 

170  5.  your  broders  shelde.  We  must  imagine  Launcelot  as  turning 
to  Lavayne  at  the  word  your.  The  shield,  of  cource,  was  Sir  Tirre's. 
Cf.  169  25. 

170  10.  love  unto  Sir  Launcelot.  The  wooing  of  a  man  by  a  maid 
is  a  not  uncommon  motive  in  the  older  literature.  The  Middle  English 
romances  afford  a  number  of  parallels  to  our  text,  though  not  with  such 
disastrous  results.  Medea  declares  her  sudden  love  for  Jason,  The 
Destruction  of  Troy  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  11.  449  seq.  ;  Rymenhild  woos  Horn, 
King  Horn,  11.  251  seq.  ;  Margery,  daughter  of  the  king  of  Almain, 
declares  her  love  to  Richard,  Ellis's  analysis  of  Richard  Cwur  de  Lion, 
p.  295.  In  Generides  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  1.  687,  Clarionas  makes  the  first 
advances,  though  Generides  needs  no  urging.  In  IVilliam  and  the 
Werwolf  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  11.  S76  seq.,  Melior  is  the  first  wooer.  Other 
excellent  parallels  occur  in  Sir  Ferutnbras  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  11.  1408  seq.; 
in  Blanch,  and  Egl.  (E.  E.  T.  S.,  Extra  Series  Iviii),  p.  79  ;  in  Amis  and 
Amiloun,  11.  470  seq.,  11.  577  seq.  ;  in  Tristrams  Saga  ok  Isondar  (ed. 
Kolbing),  ch.  viii  seq.;  in  the  story  of  Apollonius  of  Tyre;  in  AWs 
Well  that  Ends  Well,  which  in  turn  is  partly  based  upon  the  translation 
in  Paynter's  Palace  of  Pleasure,  No.  38,  of  Boccaccio's  Decamerone, 
Third  day,  Nov.  ix ;  in  the  Sanskrit  story  of  A^ala  ;  in  Sir  Beves  of 
Hatntoun  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  pp.  52,  179.  Kolbing,  in  Introd.  to  Sir  Beves, 
part  iii,  p.  xxxiv,  quotes  from  Ranke's  essay,  Zur  Gesch.  der  italienischen 
Poesie,  this  comment  on  the  Reali  di  Francia  :  "  We  do  not  find  here 
those  complicated  love-affairs  which  are  the  really  animating  element  in 
other  departments  of  fiction.  Love  makes  its  appearance,  but  in  a  very 
simple  way.  It  always  originates  from  the  woman,  being  the  effect  of 
her  hero's  great  deeds  ;  it  is  in  most  cases  continued  with  extraordinary 
faith  and  chastity."  Longfellow's  A/iles  Standish  will  occur  to  every 
reader.  One  or  two  other  parallels  are  furnished  by  Nutt,  Studies,  pp. 
135,  241.     Cf.  also  Brandl  in  Paul's  Grundriss,  ii,  i,  624  ;  Engl.  Stud., 

iii.  336- 

170  12.     Elayne  le  Blank.     Tennyson's  "//Ty  maid  of  Astolat." 

170  13.     she  besoughte  Syr  Launcelot.     Ci.  Tennyson's  Elaine : 


298  NOTES.  [Bk.  XVIII,  Cai'.  IX 

Suddenly  flash'd  on  her  a  wild  desire, 

That  he  should  wear  her  favour  at  the  tilt. 

She  braved  a  riotous  heart  in  asking  for  it. 

■'  Fair  lord,  whose  name  I  know  not  —  noble  it  is, 

I  well  believe,  the  noblest  —  will  you  wear 

My  favour  at  this  tourney  ?  "     "  Nay,"  said  he, 

"  Fair  lady,  since  I  never  yet  have  worn 

Favour  of  any  lady  in  the  lists. 

Such  is  my  wont,  as  those,  who  know  me,  know." 

"  Yea,  so,"  she  answer'd ;  "  then  in  wearing  mine 

Needs  must  be  lesser  likelihood,  noble  lord. 

That  those  who  know  should  know  you."     And  he  turn'd 

Her  counsel  up  and  down  within  his  mind, 

And  found  it  true,  and  answer'd,  "  True,  my  child. 

Well,  I  will  wear  it:  fetch  it  out  to  me: 

What  is  it? "  and  she  told  him,  "  A  red  sleeve 

Broider'd  with  pearls,"  and  brought  it :  then  he  bound 

Her  token  on  his  helmet,  with  a  smile 

Saying,  "  1  never  yet  have  done  so  much 

For  any  maiden  living." 

170  25.  a  reed  sieve.  In  Blanch,  and  Egl.  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  p.  6l, 
Blanchardyn  receives  from  one  of  the  Provost's  daughters  a  black 
sleeve  to  wear  in  his  helmet ;  later.  Eglantine  gives  him  a  crimson 
sleeve  (p.  Si)  for  the  same  purpose. 

171  18.  trumpets  blewe,  tic.  For  elaborate  descriptions  of  tourna- 
ments, see  the  prose  Merlin,  pp.  454-461,  484-499.  For  the  regula- 
tions adopted  at  tournaments,  see  note  in  Skeat's  Chaucer,  v,  89,  and 
Schultz,  Das  hofische  Leben,  ii,  120  seq. 

171  22.  Many  tymes  was  Sir  Gawayn  rebuked.  In  Bk.  iv,  i8, 
six  knights  are  named  who  at  one  time  or  another  got  the  better  of  Sir 
Gawayn,  —  Sir  Launcelot,  Sir  Tristram,  Sir  Bors  de  Ganis,  Sir  Perci- 
vale.  Sir  Pelleas,  Sir  Marhaus. 

172  16.     Palomydes.     Cf.  35  34. 

172  20.  B randy les.  For  the  genesis  of  this  name,  see  Rhys's 
Studies,  p.  309,  note. 

172  24.  Epynogrys.  For  his  Celtic  original,  see  Rhys's  Studies,  ■p^. 
3,  190,  and  Nutt's  analysis  of  the  Mabinogi  of  Peredur,  Studies,  p.  36. 

173  22.  /  wote  not  what  he.  The  not  is  an  evident  blunder. 
Wynkyn  de  \Vorde  prints  :  /  ivote  well  who  he. 

174  1.     7vas  .  .  .  ivere.     Note  the  construction  according  to  sense. 
174  6.      Galyhud  .  .  .   Galyhodyn.     Rhys,  Studies,    p.    167,    regards 

these  two  knights  as  belonging  to  the  "  Galahad  family  "  that  figures  so 
largely  in  Malory's  romance. 


Bk.  XVIII,  Cap.  XVL]  NOTES.  299 

174  22.  Sir  Lavayne.  When  we  recall  that  Lavayne  is  only  ten 
years  old  (169  31),  we  must  admit  that  he  has  made  a  good  beginning. 

176  12.  1  take  none  force,  i.e.,  I  make  no  account  of  honor,  for  I 
had  rather  rest,  etc. 

176  19.     helpe  me,  etc.     Cf.  Tennyson's  Elaine: 

He  spoke,  and  vanish'd  suddenly  from  the  field 
With  young  Lavaine  into  the  poplar  grove. 
There  from  his  charger  down  he  slid,  and  sat. 
Gasping  to  Sir  Lavaine,  "  Draw  the  lance-head": 
"  Ah  my  sweet  lord  Sir  Lancelot,"  said  Lavaine, 
"  I  dread  me,  if  I  draw  it,  you  will  die." 
But  he,  "  I  die  already  with  it :  draw — 
Draw,"  —  and  Lavaine  drew,  and  Sir  Lancelot  gave 
A  marvellous  great  shriek  and  ghastly  groan, 
And  half  his  blood  burst  forth,  and  down  he  sank 
For  the  pure  pain,  and  wholly  swoon'd  away. 

176  20.     were.     For  this  subjunctive,  cf.  177  2,  and  Bald-win,  223. 

176  28.  \_he\.  The  pronoun  is  inserted  merely  for  the  modern 
reader.     The  omission  is  exceedingly  common  in  Malory's  pages. 

177  20.     Faire  soiie.     This  from  a  boy  of  ten  1 

181  6.  broders  Syr  Tyrreis.  Ordinarily  the  appositive  genitive  does 
not  have  the  sign  of  the  genitive.  No  e.xact  parallel  to  this  construc- 
tion occurs  in  our  selections. 

181  13.  caas.  Shields  carried  out  of  doors  were  usually  covered 
with  a  case  in  inclement  weather,  in  order  to  protect  the  surface.  Pro- 
tection would  also  be  needed  for  a  shield  kept  in  a  damp  mediasval 
castle. 

181  28.  Note  the  accumulation  of  negatives  for  emphasis.  Cf. 
Chaucer's  portrait  of  the  Knight : 

He  never  yet  no  vileinye  ne  sayde 

In  al  his  lyf,  un-to  no  maner  wight. 

C.    T.,  Prol.,  11.  70,  71. 

181  31.  is  in  a  grete  adventure,  i.e.,  is  in  great  danger  of  not  coming 
to  pass  on  account  of  Launcelot's  wound. 

184  14.  pleasyd.  Present  indicative,  third  singular.  Cf.  longed, 
85  26. 

184  16.     in  lyke  moche,  equally  well. 

185  8.  brynge  her  to  me.  The  emendation  suggested  in  the  foot- 
note, p.  185,  is  the  reading  of  Wynkyn  de  Worde,  her  to  hym. 

186  30,     I  drede  me.     A  survival  of  an  O.  E.  construction. 


300  NOTES.  [Rk.  XVIII,  Cap.  XVII. 

188  12.     Al-halowmasse  day.     November  i. 

ISS  25.  kerbes  for  .  .  .  a  bayne.  In  Sir  Eglamour,  11.  526-530 
{The  Thornton  Romances),  we  read  of  a  bath  with  herbs.  Curious 
information  about  herbs  for  a  bath  is  found  in  The  Babees  Book  (E.  E. 
T.  S.),  pp.  1S2-185,  ^""^  notes;  also  p.  209.  Cf.  also  Schultz,  Das 
hofische  Leben,  i,  200-204,  where  the  medical  skill  of  women  in  the 
Middle  Ages  is  discussed.  Kolbing  touches  on  the  same  matter  in  a 
note  to  Sir  Bevis  of  Hamtoun  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  p.  252. 

189  7.  biittom.  This  word  may  be  a  printer's  blunder  for  bottom  or 
button.  The  general  meaning  is  clear  enough  in  either  case.  If  button 
is  the  true  reading,  we  have  a  parallel  in  a  quotation  in  the  N.  E.  D., 
s.  v.,  for  the  year  1603:  "The  clots  or  buttons  of  bloud  in  the  garden 
[of  Gelhsemane]." 

191  7.  every  knyghte  .  .  .  that  were  there.  Construction  according 
to  sense. 

191  13.  Surluse.  Identified  by  Rhys,  Studies,  Tpp.  353,  354,  with  the 
Scilly  Isles. 

192  12.  gentyl  Knyghte,  etc.  Observe  the  striking  parallel  in  the 
portrait  of  the  Knight  in  Chaucer's  Cant.  Tales,  Prol.,  11.  45,  46,  68-72  : 

he  loved  chivalrye, 
Trouthe  and  honour,  fredom  and  curteisye. 


And  though  that  he  were  worthy,  he  was  wys, 
And  of  his  port  as  meke  as  is  a  mayde. 
He  never  yet  no  vileinye  ne  sayde 
In  al  his  lyf,  uu-to  no  maner  wight. 
He  was  a  verray  parfit  gentil  knight. 

192  26-31.     /  wold  have  you  to  my  husbond,  etc.     Cf.   Tennyson's 
Elaine  : 

"  Your  love,"  she  said,  "  your  love  —  to  be  your  wife." 

And  Lancelot  answer'd,  "  Had  I  chosen  to  wed, 

I  had  been  wedded  earlier,  sweet  Elaine; 

But  now  there  never  will  be  wife  of  mine." 

"  No,  no,"  she  cried,  "  I  care  not  to  be  wife, 

But  to  be  with  you  still,  to  see  your  face. 

To  serve  you  and  to  follow  you  thro'  the  world." 

And  Lancelot  answer'd 


"  Full  ill  then  should  I  quit  your  brother's  love 
And  yjur  good  father's  kindness." 


Bk.  XVIII,  Cap.  XX.]  NOTES.  301 

192  29.  wedded  man.  On  a  former  occasion  Launcelot  had  unwit- 
tingly won  the  love  of  a  maiden,  but  he  tells  her  :  "  But  for  to  be  a 
wedded  man  I  thynke  hit  not.  .  .  .  And  as  for  to  say  for  to  take  my 
pleasaunce  with  peramours,  that  wylle  I  refuse  in  pryncypal  for  drede  of 
God."     Bk.  vi,  10. 

193  13.     io  be  your  owiie  kttyghte.     For  this  infinitive,  cf.  22  83. 
195  12-35.     Cf.  Tennyson's  Elaine : 

So  when  the  ghostly  man  had  come  and  gone, 
She  with  a  face,  bright  as  for  sin  forgiven 
Besought  Lavaine  to  write  as  she  devised 
A  letter,  word  for  word ;        .        .        .        . 

Then  he  wrote 

The  letter  she  devised ;  which  being  writ 
And  folded,  "  O  sweet  father,  tender  and  true, 


lay  the  letter  in  my  hand 
A  little  ere  I  die,  and  close  the  hand 
Upon  it ;  I  shall  guard  it  even  in  death. 
And  when  the  heat  is  gone  from  out  my  heart, 
Then  take  the  little  bed  on  which  I  died 
For  Lancelot's  love,  and  deck  it  like  the  Queen's 
For  richness,  and  me  also  Uke  the  Queen 
In  all  I  have  of  rich,  and  lay  me  on  it. 
And  let  there  be  prepared  a  chariot-bier 
To  take  me  to  the  river,  and  a  barge 
Be  ready  on  the  river,  clothed  in  black. 
I  go  in  state  to  court,  to  meet  the  Queen. 
There  surely  I  shall  speak  for  mine  own  self, 
And  none  of  you  can  speak  for  me  so  welL 
And  therefore  let  our  dumb  old  man  alone 
Go  with  me,  he  can  steer  and  row,  and  he 
Will  guide  me  to  that  palace,  to  the  doors." 

195  18.     /eUer.     Cf.  this  whole  passage  with  that  concerning  Perci- 
vale's  sister,  p.  143. 

196  23.     tAe  quene  aspyed a  letter.     But  cf.  Tennyson's  Elaine: 

But  Arthur  spied  the  letter  in  her  hand, 

Stoopt,  took,  brake  seal,  and  read  it ;  this  was  all: 

"  Most  noble  lord,  Sir  Lancelot  of  the  Lake, 

I,  sometime  call'd  the  maid  of  Astolat, 

Come,  for  you  left  me  taking  no  farewell, 

Hither  to  take  my  last  farewell  of  you. 

I  loved  you,  and  my  love  had  no  return. 


302  NOTES.  [Bk.  XVIII.  Cap.  XX 

And  therefore  my  true  love  has  been  my  death. 
And  therefore  to  our  Lady  Guinevere, 
And  to  all  other  ladies  I  make  moan. 
Pray  for  my  soul,  and  yield  me  burial. 
Pray  for  my  soul  tluiu  too,  Sir  Lancelot, 
As  thou  art  a  knight  peerless." 

197  7.  masse  pe)iy.  "  Luery  man  and  childe  that  is  buried  must  pay 
sumwhat  for  masses  and  diriges  to  be  song  for  him,  or  elles  they  will 
accuse  the  dedes  frendes  and  executours  of  heresie."  A  Supplication 
for  the  Beg,i;ars,  about  1529  (E.  E.  T.  S.,  Extra  Series  xiii),  p.  2.  A  very 
extensive  note  on  the  mass-penny  is  found  in  The  Lay  Folk's  Mass  Book 
(E.  E.  T.  S.),  pp.  237  seq. 

197  16.     J at7i  ryghtc  licvy,  etc.     Cf.  Tennyson's  Elaine: 

Then  freely  spoke  Sir  Lancelot  to  them  all: 
"  My  lord  liege  Arthur,  and  all  ye  that  hear, 
Know  that  for  this  most  gentle  maiden's  death 
Right  heavy  am  I ;  for  good  she  was  and  true, 
But  loved  me  with  a  love  beyond  all  love 
In  women,  whomsoever  I  have  known. 
Yet  to  be  loved  makes  not  to  love  again." 

197  23.      Ye  mygkt  have  shewed  her,  etc.  : 

Then  said  the  Queen 
(Sea  was  her  wrath,  yet  working  after  storm), 
"  Ye  might  at  least  have  done  her  so  much  grace, 
Fair  lord,  as  would  have  help'd  her  from  her  death." 
He  raised  his  head,  their  eyes  met  and  hers  fell, 
He  adding, 

"  Queen,  she  would  not  be  content 
Save  that  I  wedded  her,  which  could  not  be. 
Then  might  she  follow  me  thro'  the  world,  she  ask'd ; 
It  could  not  be." 

198  3.     Hit  7vyl  be  your  7vorshyp,  etc.     Ci.  Tennyson's  Elaine: 

Arthur  answer'd,  "  O  my  knight, 
It  will  be  to  thy  worship,  as  my  knight, 
And  mine,  as  head  of  all  our  Table  Round, 
To  see  that  she  be  buried  worshipfully." 

199  11.      Candyhnas  day.     February  2. 

199  13.    freyssheyst.     The  superlative   ending  -yst  is  very  unusual 
in  Malory.     Cf.  Baldwin,  -^y 


Bk.  XVIII,  Cap.  XXV.]  NOTES.  303 

199  14.  ny  more.  JVy  is  a  mere  variant  of  ne,  but  is  rare.  It  may 
be  here  a  typographical  error  for  no. 

200  10.  for  the  strynge  and  for  a  bate.  Some  of  the  dogs  were 
trained  for  the  chase,  and  were  held  by  the  strynge  or  leash.  Others 
were  more  adapted  for  baiting,  such  as  bear-baiting,  bull-baiting,  etc. 
See  the  article  on  "  Bull  and  Bear-Baiting,"  Brand's  Pop.  Antiq.  (ed. 
Ellis),  ii,  401-404. 

200  11  abated  her  dogge,  i.e.,  she  had  hounded  on  her  dog  to  attack 
the  hind. 

200  19.     wente  to  soyle,  i.e.,  dashed  into  a  miry  place. 

200  21.  ictnbecast.  The  prefix  umbe,  O.  E.  ymbe,  was  the  first 
element  in  considerably  more  than  a  hundred  words  in  O.  E.  Of  these 
the  only  survivor  in  modern  English  is  Ember-days. 

201  8.     that  hede.     For  the  use  of  that  for  the,  see  Baldwin,  9. 

202  10.  Howel  of  Bretayne.  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth  refers  several 
times  to  Hoel  of  Armorica  (Brittany),  who  was  a  friend  to  Arthur, 
Hist.  Reg.  Brit.,  ix,  2,  11,  17;  x,  3,  9,  10. 

204  6.  Pedever.  This  seems  to  be  a  mere  variant  for  Bedever, 
205  15.  Yet  Sommer,  in  his  index  (vol.  ii,  p  176),  has  three  references 
to  "  Pedyuere  of  the  strayte  marches,"  Morte  Darthur,Y>^.  210,  211, 
578.     The  passages  are  not  included  in  our  selections. 

206  6.     releved  ever  unto  kynge  Arthur,  i.e.,  gave  relief  to  King  A. 

20s  10.  to  helpe  an  other  worshypful  knyghte.  The  spirit  of  this 
doctrine  is  found  in  Beowulf,  in  the  O.  E.  poem  on  the  Battle  of  Maldon, 
in  the  Nibelungenlied,  etc. 

208  24.  May.  The  delight  in  the  month  of  May  which  so  many  of 
the  old  writers  express  is  doubtless  genuine,  but  the  terms  which  they 
employ  are  more  conventional  than  one  might  at  first  imagine.  The 
following  specimen  from  The  Destruction  of  Troy  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  11.  2733, 
2734,  is  a  fair  example  : 

In  the  moneth  of  May,  when  medoes  bene  grene, 
And  all  florisshet  w/t/4  floures  \&  fildes  aboute. 

Cf.  Chaucer's  numerous  references  to  May,  Skeat's  Chaucer,  vol.  i,  p. 
Iv  ;  V,  65,  71. 

209  12.  used.  Another  instance  of  the  -ed  in  the  present  indicative 
instead  of  -eth.     Cf.  Baldwin,  177. 

209  22.     seven  tiyghte.     A  retention  of  the  old  invariable  plural. 
209  28.     lycours.     Contraction  of  lycourous. 

209  28.  no  lycours  lustes  were  bitwene  them.  If  Malory  meant  this 
passage  to  be  taken  seriously,  one  might  ask  what  lycours  lustes  can  be 


304  NOTES.  [Bk.  XXI. 

understood    to  mean.     How   well    this   passage  harmonizes    with    the 
Mortc  Dartliur  as  a  whole  tlie  reader  may  be  left  to  judge. 

The  pessimistic  ending  ot  lik.  xviii  may  be  compared  with  a  pas- 
sage in  Ywaiue  and  Gawaiit,  11.  ^t,  seq.,  quoted  by  Kolbing  in  Die iior- 
dische  tmd  englische  Versioii  der  Tristansage,  ii,  93. 

BOOK    XXI. 

I.     Connecting  Link. 

Book  XIX  is  mainly  taken  up  with  an  adventure  that  befell  the 
queen,  and  with  what  grew  out  of  it.  As  she  is  Maying  one  day 
with  her  knights  of  the  Round  Table,  Sir  Meliagrance  falls  upon 
the  party  with  eight  score  men  and  captures  them  all.  When 
Launcelot  learns  that  the  queen  is  taken,  he  hurries  to  the  rescue  ; 
but  as  his  horse  is  killed  by  archers  in  ambush,  he  pushes  on  in  a 
cart.  At  Launcelot's  arrival,  Meliagrance  hastens  to  beg  the 
queen's  forgiveness.  She  grants  it,  and  wins  the  reluctant  consent 
of  Launcelot  to  let  the  inatter  drop.  That  same  night  Launcelot 
visits  the  queen,  but  accidentally  cuts  his  hands  by  wrenching  out 
the  bars  of  her  window.  Meliagrance  thereupon  charges  Guene- 
ver  with  unfaithfulness  to  her  lord.  Launcelot  plans  to  defend 
the  queen's  honor  by  single  combat,  escapes  the  prison  into 
which  he  is  trapped  by  Meliagrance,  and  slays  the  traitor  on 
the  appointed  day. 

The  remainder  of  the  book  tells  chiefly  of  a  Hungarian  knight. 
Sir  Urre,  and  his  prowess  at  Arthur's  court.  The  interesting  fact 
is  noted  that  Launcelot,  in  despite  of  those  who  ridiculed  him  for 
riding  in  a  cart,  rides  in  a  chariot  for  a  twelvemonth,  without  once 
being  on  horseback. 

Book  XX  shows  the  beginning  of  the  end.  Agravaine  and 
Mordred  are  jealous  of  Launcelot,  and  disclose  to  Arthur  the 
open  secret  of  Guenever's  unfaithfulness.  In  the  night  Agravaine 
and  Mordred,  with  twelve  knights  of  the  Round  Table,  surprise 
Launcelot  in  the  queen's  chamber,  but  Mordred  alone  escapes 
alive,  and  he  relates  the  whole  affair  to  Arthur.  Queen  Guenever 
is  condemned  to  be  burnt,  but  Launcelot  and  his  kinsmen  rescue 
her  from  the  lire  and  ride  away  to  Joyous  Gard.     In  the  rescue  of 


Bk.  XXI.]  NOTES.  305 

the  queen,  he  unfortunately  kills  Gawain's  brothers  Gareth  and 
Gaheris,  and  thus  makes  Gawain  his  enemy.  Arthur,  at  Gawain's 
request,  besieges  Launcelot  in  Joyous  Gard,  and  continues  the 
war  until  the  Pope  charges  him,  upon  pain  of  interdicting  all  Eng- 
land, to  take  back  Queen  Ckienever,  and  to  accord  with  Sir 
Launcelot.  Peace  is  made  for  a  time,  but  at  length  Arthur  and 
Gawain  renew  the  war.  The  struggle  is  still  in  progress  when 
Mordred's  treason  compels  a  return  to  England. 

II.     Source. 

The  source  of  Book  XXI  has  been  already  partly  discussed 
(see  introduction  to  Book  XVI 11),  but  not  in  sufificient  detail  to 
consider  all  the  questions  that  the  material  suggests.  Sommer 
remarks  (iii,  265):  "A  minute  examination  of  AI.'s  twenty-first 
book  compared  with  the  last  ten  folios  of  P.  L.  discloses  many 
and  great  differences,  but  also  here  the  ground-plan  of  the  two 
accounts  is  the  same,  and  the  incidents  common  to  both  establish 
beyond  doubt  an  intimate,  though  indirect,  relation  between  the 
two  versions  ;  this  fact  points  out  either  that  the  sources  of  both 
are  derived  from  a  common  source  or  that  P.  L.  itself  is  the 
source  of  the  French  romance  used  by  M." 

These  conclusions  we  may  grant  without  hesitation.  But 
when  Sommer  goes  further  and  urges  that  Malory  used  M.  H. 
{Morie  Arthur,  Harl.  2252)  to  the  extent  of  borrowing  Engli^h 
phrases,  we  may  have  more  question.  The  general  outline  of  the 
two  versions  is  of  course  the  same,  and  the  agreement  in  a  number 
of  cases  extends  to  words  and  phrases.  The  more  important  pas- 
sages Sommer  prints  in  parallel  columns.  The  passages  tliat  lie 
leaves  unquoted  call  for  no  special  comment,  since  the  agreement 
is  not  so  striking  as  to  require  explanation.  In  fact,  most  of  the 
agreement  in  diction  is  easily  accounted  for  if  we  assume  that  M. 
and  M.  H.  are  based  upon  a  common  original,  or  upon  two 
slightly  differing  versions  of  the  same  original.  Here  and  there 
the  French  would  doubtless  be  identical  in  both  versions.  If  now 
two  independent  translators,  living  in  the  same  half-century  and 
familiar  with   the  same  literature,  undertake  to  translate  literally 


306 


A'Ol^ES. 


[Bk.  XXI 


passages  that  are  exactly  alike  in  the  original,  the  chances  are 
that  they  will  now  and  then  hit  upon  the  same  phrases.  If  we 
assume  this  to  be  the  case  we  may  be  surprised,  not  that  the 
verbal  agreement  that  we  find  is  so  great,  but  that  it  is,  on  the 
whole,  so  slight. 

From  these  general  considerations  we  may  pass  to  an  examina- 
tion of  the  passages  that  Sommer  quotes.  I  take  the  passages  in 
the  order  which  Sommer  adopts,  but  for  the  sake  of  brevity  I 
quote  only  the  phrases  which  are  substantially  alike  in  the  two 
versions,  and  which  make  most  strongly  for  Sommer's  conclusion  : 


M.  H. 

(0 
3216.   k  monthe  day  of  trewse  moste 
ye  take. 

(2) 

3187.   And  eueryche  by  A  lymme  hym 

caught. 

(3) 

3515.   I  wylle  wende  A  lytelle  Stownde 

In  to  the  vale  of  Avelovne 


Malory. 


ye  take  a  treatyce  for  a  moneth  day. 


&  euery  beest  took  hym  by  a  lymme. 


For  I  wyl  in  to  the  vale  of  avylyon 


A   whyle    to  hele    me   of    my       to  hele  me  of  my  greuous  wounde. 
wounde. 


(4) 

3525.   A    chapelle   by-t\vene   ij   holtes 
bore. 

(5) 
3568.   A-way    she    went,    \\7th    lad)'s 
fyve. 
To  Avmysbery,  A  nonne  hyr  for 
to  make ; 

3573.   There  weryd  she  clothys  whyte 
And  blake. 


betwyxte  to  holtes  hore  af  a  chapel, 


etc. 


Than  the  quene  stale  aweye  &  v 
ladyes  wj-th  hyr,  and  soo  she  wente  to 
almesburye,  &  there  she  let  make  hir 
self  a  Xonne,  &  ware  whyte  clothes 
and  blacke. 


These  passages  are  evidently  based  upon  a  common  original. 
The  verbal  resemblance  is  really  slight,  except  in  detached  words. 
The  phrase  "a  monthe  day"  in  (i)  is  a  common  expression  for 
time.     The  agreement  in  (2)  and  in  (3)  is  exactly  what  we  might 


Bk.  XXL] 


NOTES. 


307 


expect  in  a  hundred  independent  translations  of  the  original  of 
passages  so  simple.  The  agreement  in  (4)  appears  surprising 
chiefiy  because  the  words  "holtes  hore"  are  now  rarely  used.  In 
the  1  3th  century  they  were  exceedingly  common.  Nothing  in  (5J 
calls  for  special  comment  except  the  words  "ware  whyte  clothes 
and  blacke.'  Here  is  almost  literal  agreement ;  yet  the  thought 
is  so  simple  that  the  expression  could  hardly  be  different  if  the 
idea  were  to  be  expressed  at  all. 

The  second  group  of  passages  quoted  by   Sommer  (iii,  271) 
affords  no  more  difficulty  than  the  first  group  : 


M.  H. 

(6) 

3626.   Thryse   she   swownyd    swiftely 
there. 

(1) 
3654.   I-sette  1  am  Jn  suche  A  place, 
my  sowle  hele  I  wylle  A-byde 
Telle  god  send  me  som  grace. 
3658.   That  I  may  do  so  in  thys  place, 
.my  synns  to  A-mende  thys  ilke 

tyde, 
After  to  haue  a  syght   of    hys 

face 
At  Domys  Day  on  hys  Ryght 
syde. 

(8) 

3661.   There-fore,  syr  lancelot  du  lake 

For  my  loue   now   I   the   pray 

my  company  thow  Aye  for-sake, 

And    to    thy    kingdome    thow 

take  thy  way, 
And  kepe  thy  Reme  from  werre 
And  wrake. 

(9) 
3667.   And  take  a  wyffe.  . 


Malory. 


she  swouned  thryse. 


I  am  sette  in  suche  a  plj-te  to  gete 
my  soule  hele,  &  yet  I  truste  thorugh 
goddes  grace  that  after  my  deth  to 
haue  a  syght  of  the  blessed  face  of 
crj-st,  and  at  domes  day  to  sytte  on  his 
ryght  syde. 


Therefore  syr  Launcelot  I  requyre 
the  &  beseche  the  hertelye  for  al  the 
loue  that  euer  was  betwyxte  vs  that 
thou  neuer  see  me  more  in  the  vysage, 
&  1  comande  the  on  goddes  behalfe 
that  thou  forsake  my  companye  &  to 
thy  kyngdom  thou  torne  ageyn  &  kepe 
wel  thy  royame  from  warre  and  wrake. 


there  take  the  a  wyf. 


3671- 


(10) 
.  loye  And  blysse. 


loye  &  blysse. 


308 


NOTES. 


[Bk.  XXI. 


(") 
3687.   "  The  same  desteny  that  yow  is 
dyghte 
1  wille  Resseyve  in  soni  house 

bolde 
To   plese    here- After   god    AU- 
inyght ; 
3690.    To  plese  god  Alle  that  I  maye 
I    shalle    liere-After    do    myne 

entente, 
And    euyr    for   yow   specyAUy 

pray, 
While     god    wylle      me     lyffe 
lente." 

(12) 
3714.   "nay,"  sayd   the   quene,  "that 
wylle  1  not." 

(13) 
3853.  hyt  ys  bot  hevynesse  of  yower 
blode. 

(14) 
3879.    A-gaynste  hy  m  openyd  the  gatys 
of  hevyn. 

(15) 

3884.   Syr  lancelot  eylythe  no  thynge 
but  gode. 


but  the  same  deystenye  that  ye  haue 
taken  you  to  1  wyl  take  me  vnto  for  to 
plese  Ihesu,  &  euer  for  you  1  cast  me 
specially  to  praye,  etc. 


Nay  sayd  the  quene  that  shal  I  neuer 
do. 


It  is  but  heuynesse  of  your  blood. 


&  the  yates  of  heuen  opened  ayenst 
hym. 

syr  Launcelot  ayleth  no  thynge  but 
good. 


On  the  second  group  Sommer  remarks  (iii,  271)  that  Malory 
"in  many  cases  servilely  copies  the  words  and  phrases  of  M.  H." 
The  real  truth  probably  is  that  both  M.  and  M.  H.  copy  closely 
the  same  French  original.  The  agreement  in  (6)  calls  for  no 
comment.  The  latter  portion  of  (7)  is  a  pious  formula  that 
appears  with  slight  variation  in  a  great  number  of  religious  writ- 
ings in  the  Middle  Ages.  No  proof  of  borrowing  appears  in 
what  is  here  quoted.  The  resemblance  in  the  first  part  is  explained 
by  assuming  the  same  French  original  for  M.  and  M.  H.  This 
last  remark  applies  in  general  to  all  the  passages  that  follow,  but 
a  word  of  comment  may  be  necessary.  In  (8)  the  phrase  "  werre 
And  wrake"  seems  convincing  for  Sommer's  theory,  but  this  very 


Bk.  XXL]  NOTES.  309 

phrase  occurs  in  "A  Poem  on  the  Times  of  Edward  II,"  cited 
in  Stratmann-Bradley.  Furthermore,  it  belongs  to  the  group  of 
alliterative  formulas  which  were  very  common  in  the  Middle  Ao-es, 
and  served  as  conventional  expressions  for  certain  ideas.  The 
phrase  "  loye  And  blysse  "  in  (lo)  occurs  in  Chaucer's  Canterbury 
Tales,  B  1119,  and  is  one  of  the  common  mediaeval  formulas. 
In  (11)  the  principal  words  in  common  are  desfeny,  plese,  specy- 
Ally,pray.  All  of  these  words  are  of  French  origin  and  might 
easily  be  transferred  from  French  to  English  by  two  independent 
translators.  The  passages  from  (12)  to  (15)  are  much  alike  in 
M.  H.  and  in  M.,  but  when  we  consider  that  they  are  all  short, 
and  so  simple  that  almost  the  only  variation  could  be  in  diction, 
we  must  hold  that  more  proof  is  needed  before  we  yield  our 
assent  to  Sommer's  view.  Parallel  passages  of  one  sort  and 
another  may  be  collected  by  the  score  from  medifeval  pieces  that 
were  produced  by  independent  writers  drawing  upon  a  common 
stock  of  French  originals.  Such  parallel  passages  have  been 
collected  by  Kolbing,  Zupitza,  Kaluza,  and  others  in  great 
numbers. 

In  order  to  show  how  misleading  is  the  argument  that  slight 
verbal  agreement  is  a  proof  of  actual  borrowing  by  one  mediaeval 
writer  from  another,  I  place  in  parallel  columns  passages  taken 
from  the  English  prose  Merlin  (E.  E.  T.  S.)  and  from  Lovelich's 
verse  romance  of  Merlin,  of  which  only  a  small  part  has  been 
published.  In  my  discussion  ^  of  the  two  versions  (pp.  Ixii-lxix), 
I  have  shown  that  they  were  made  by  two  independent  translators, 
working  upon  slightly  different  MSS.  Yet  here  and  there  in  the 
midst  of  passages  differing  very  widely  in  diction  appears  a  line 
or  two  almost  identical  in  the  two  versions.  We  cannot  suppose 
that  if  one  translator  borrowed  from  the  other  he  would  have  been 
content  to  take  so  little,  and  we  must  believe  that  the  occasional 
agreement  is  due  to  the  substantial  identity  of  the  French  originals 
and  the  simplicity  of  the  thought,  which  practically  compelled 
verbal  agreement : 

1  Published  by  the  E.  E.  T.  S.,  1899. 


310  NOTES.  [Bk.  XXI,  Cap.  I. 

English  Prose  Merlin.  Lovelich's  Merlin. 

"  That  shall  1  telle  the,"  quod  mer-  "  That  schal  I  the  telle,"  quod  Mer- 
lin (p.  32).  lyne  (f.  97  b). 

He  ycleped  hym  maister,  for  that  he  and  Maister  he  clepid  him  for  this 

was  maister  to  his  moder  (p.  33).  rnaner^.     For  Maister  to  his  Modir  he 

was  Every  wher«  (f.  97  b). 

"  to  god  I  comaunde  yow  "  (p.  s^)-  "  ^  comande  30W  to  God  "  (f.  97  b). 

and  axed   a-noon   how   they  hadde  And  Axede  of  hemhowthey  haddew 

spedde  (p.  35).  sped  (f.  98  b). 

"  And,  sir,  the  peple  that  were  ther-  "  Sire,  this  peple  Clepede  this  vessel 

at  Clepid  this  vessell  that  thei  hadden  The    Sank    Ryal    o[>er    ellys    Seint 

in  so  grete  grace,  the  Graal"  (p.  59).  Graal"  (f.  105). 

These  passages  might  be  indefinitely  multipHed,  but  those  which 
are  cited  are  sufficient  to  show  that  something  more  than  occa- 
sional verbal  agreement  is  necessary  in  order  to  prove  the  actual 
use  by  Malory  of  M.  H. 

Much  more  might  be  urged  against  the  proposition  that  Malory 
had  other  sources  than  "the  French  book"  for  the  concluding 
book  of  Le  Morte  Darthur.'^  Further  arguments  may,  however, 
be  deferred  until  more  proof  is  presented  on  the  other  side. 

211  1.  dyd  do  make  letters,  i.e.,  caused  letters  to  be  written.  Cf. 
"  make  stryke,"  212  22;  "  maad  wryte  wryttes,"  213  6. 

211  4.  bataylle  wyth  Syr  Laimcelot.  The  account  of  Mordred's 
revolt  in  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth's  Hist.  Reg.  Brit.,  x,  13,  and  xi,  i,  2,  is 
much  less  detailed  than  in  Malory.  According  to  Geoffrey,  Arthur  had 
been  fighting  the  Romans,  and  in  his  absence  Mordred  had  usurped  the 
throne.     Essentially  the  same  story  appears  in  La3amon. 

211  8.     helde  afeest  there  xv  dayes.     Cf.  39  10. 

211  13.  Gwenever  was  passyng  hevy.  According  to  Geoffrey,  x,  13, 
she  wickedly  married  Mordred.  Rhys  has  an  entire  chapter  on  "  Gwen- 
hwyvar  and  her  Captors,"  Studies,  ch.  iii,  in  which  he  discusses  Celtic 
parallels  to  Geoffrey's  version  and  others. 

1  Wechssler  again  confirms  my  independent  conclusion.  He  remarks  merely: 
"  Endlich  Buch  XX  und  XXI  enthalten  die  Mort  Artur,  die  uns  in  der  franzo- 
sischen  Litteratur  nur  als  Branche  des  Graal-  und  Lancelotcyclus  (im  Map-  und  im 
Robertcyclus)  vorliegt.  Sie  ist  bei  der  Aufnahme  in  diese  Ronianreihe  stark 
gekiirzt  worden.  Malory  hat  den  urspriinglichen  Text  iibertragen,  gleichwie  der 
Verfasser  des  in  Harl.  2252  enthaltencn  mittelenglischen  Gedichtes.  Graal- 
l.ancelot-Cyclus,  p.  36. 


Bk.  XXI,  Cap.  II.]  NOTES.  311 

211  26.  a  tnyghty  syege.  For  an  elaborate  account  of  the  methods 
of  conducting  a  mediaeval  siege,  see  Schultz,  Das  hqfische  Leben,  ii,  363- 

457- 

212  7.     clerke,  i.e.,  cleric,  ecclesiastic. 

212  14.  book,  and  belle,  and  catidell.  In  excommunication  the  cere- 
mony ended  by  closing  the  book,  ringing  the  bell,  and  extinguishing  the 
candle.  For  further  details,  see  Myrc's  Instructions  for  Parish  Priests 
(E.  E.  T.  S.),  pp.  21  seq. 

212  27.  Glastytibtirye.  Malory's  Glastonbury  is,  of  course,  in  Som- 
erset. Its  importance  in  Christian  legend,  and  particularly  in  the  history 
of  the  Grail  stories,  is  discussed  by  Skeat,  Preface  to  Joseph  of  Ari- 
mathie  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  pp.  xxiii-xxviii ;  '^wX.i,  Studies,  pp.  105,  107,  220, 
223-225  ;  Zarncke,  in  Paul  and  Braune's  Beitrdge,  iii,  304  seq. ;  Rhys, 
Studies  (Index).  An  elaborate  paper  by  G.  Baist  on  Arthur  und  der 
Graal  in  Zeitschrift  filr  rom.  Phil.,  xix,  326  seq.,  devotes  much  space 
to  Glastonbury. 

213  1.  than  to  be  maryed.  The  to  is  inserted  for  the  sake  of  clear- 
ness.    Baldwin,  239,  cites  numerous  parallels. 

213  3.  for  Syr  Launcelot.  In  Sommer's  reprint  of  Caxton,  with 
the  old  punctuation  and  capitals,  this  passage  reads  :  "  Than  came 
worde  to  syr  Mordred  that  kyng  Arthur  had  araysed  the  syege  /  For 
Syr  Launcelot  &  he  was  comyng  homeward  wyth  a  grete  boost."  If 
we  regard  For  as  a  conjunction,  we  have  a  contradiction  of  the  facts, 
since  Gawayn  and  not  Launcelot  was  coming  homeward  with  Arthur. 
If  we  read  Gawayn  instead  of  Launcelot,  as  suggested  on  p.  213,  we 
may  retain  Caxton's  punctuation.  If  we  disregard  Caxton's  punctua- 
tion and  consider  for  as  a  blunder  iox  fro(m),  we  get  a  rational  mean- 
ing, and  do  no  violence  to  the  text.  Wynkyn  de  Worde  reads:  syege 
fro  syr  ;  and  that  he,  etc.     This  is  doubtless  the  true  reading. 

213  18.  this  Englyssh  men.  This  as  a  plural  is  rare  in  Malory. 
Cf.  Baldwin,  61. 

213  21.  foryeten.  Of  the  verb  gete  the  past  participial  forms  are 
geten,  yeten,  goten.  In  this  passage  Malory  is  evidently  glancing  at  the 
troubled  history  of  England  in  his  own  day.  Henry  VI  had  been 
deposed  by  Edward  IV,  and  yet,  at  the  time  when  Malory  wrote,  was 
still  a  possibility  to  be  reckoned  with.  In  1471,  the  year  after  Malory 
finished  the  Morte  Darthur,  Henry  was  actually  restored  to  the  throne 
for  a  time  by  the  help  of  the  Earl  of  Warwick. 

213  32.  ne'we  f angle.  Chaucer  uses  this  word  several  times.  Cf. 
Skeat's  Chaucer,  v,  385.  ^ 

214  4.     to  lette  his  07une  fader  to  lande.  i.e.,  to  prevent  his  landing. 


312  NOTES.  [15k.  XXI,  Cap.  II. 

Cf.  Hamlet,  i,  4,  1.  85  :  "I  Ml  make  a  ghost  of  him  that  lets  me."  So 
also  Twelfth  Night,  v,  i,  256;  Chaucer,  Canterbury  Tales,  F  994.  For 
the  synta.x  of  to  laitde,  see  Baldwin,  246. 

215   5.     of  a  lie  this  am  /causer.     See  Morte  Darthur,  xx,  19,  20. 

215  17.  by  my  daycs,  i.e.,  in  my  time.  Cf.  "by  Arthures  days," 
219  16  ;  Baldwin,  328,  2. 

215  21.  the  old  wound.  In  Bk.  xx,  21,  we  read:  "Than  Sir 
Launcelot  doubled  his  strokes  and  gaf  Sir  Gauwayn  suche  a  buffet  on 
the  helmet  that  he  fyl  doun  on  his  syde,  and  Syr  Launcelot  wythdrewe 
hym  fro  hym.  '  Why  withdrawest  thou  the  .-"  sayd  Syr  Gawayn,  '  now 
tome  ageyn,  fals  traytour  knyght  a)id  slee  me,  for  and  thou  leve  me 
thus,  whan  I  am  hole  I  shal  do  batail  wyth  the  ageyn.'" 

215  22.  Benwyck.  The  city  in  which  Launcelot  was  besieged  by 
Gawayn  and  Arthur.     Cf.  32  2. 

216  20.     to  receyve  his  Saveour.     Cf.  79  5. 

216  24.  within  Dover  Castel.  According  to  the  verse  romance  of 
Arthur,  ed.  by  Furnivall  (E.  E.  T.  S.,  ii),  11.  587-590,  Gawayn's  body 
was  sent  to  Scotland  for  burial.  In  the  very  rare  little  treatise  by  the 
famous  antiquary  Leland,  published  in  1544,  under  the  title  Assertio 
inclytissimi  regis  Arturii,  we  read  :  "  Tuc  in  prouincia  walliarum,  quae 
Rossia  vocatur  inuentum  est  waluuini  sepulcrum,  qui  fuit  baud  degener 
Arturii  ex  sorore  nepos,"  fo.  7. 

216  25.  the  senile  of  hym.  Cf.  the  colloquial  "  for  the  life  of  me," 
and  Baldwin,  78. 

216  28.  Baramdoune.  Barham  Down,  6  miles  southeast  of  Canter- 
bury. "  The  downs  extend  from  S.  E.  to  N.  W.,  along  the  line  of 
Watling  Street,  and  are  about  three  miles  long.  Numerous  barrows 
are  on  them,  of  times  from  early  British  to  later  Saxon,  showing  them 
to  have  been  scenes  of  many  ancient  public  events.  King  John,  with 
his  army  of  60,000  men,  encamped  on  them,  in  1213,  prior  to  the 
resigning  of  his  crown.  Simon  de  Montford  assembled  his  troops  on 
them,  in  the  time  of  Henry  III,  to  oppose  the  landing  of  Queen 
Eleanor.  Queen  Henrietta  Maria,  after  her  landing  at  Dover  in  1625, 
was  met  on  them  by  the  flower  of  the  English  nobility."  The  Itnperial 
Gaz.  of  Eng.  and  Wales,  s.  v.  Barham. 

217  10.  besyde  Salysbury.  The  open  country  about  Salisbury  has 
been  the  scene  of  more  than  one  great  assembly  in  history  and  romance. 
Here  "  William  the  Conqueror  in  1070  reviewed  his  army  after  his 
victories  ;  and  it  was  here  that  he  took  the  oath  of  fealty  from  all  Eng- 
lish landholders  on  the  completion  of  Domesday  in  10S6."  Cf.  the 
great  gathering  described  in  the  prose  Aferlin,  pp.  574  seq. 


Bk.  XXI,  Cap.  IV.]  NOTES.  313 

217   11.      Trynytc  Sonday.     The  Sunday  next  after  Whitsunday. 

217  15.     SoiUhsex    .    .    .    Estsex    .    .    .    Soitthfolke  .    .    .    A'orthfolk. 
Note  the  etymologies  clearly  indicated  by  the  old  spelling. 

217  21.  dreme.  Arthur's  dream  appears  in  several  versions  of  the 
legends.  That  in  the  verse  Morte  Arthur,  Harl.  2252,  begins  at  1.  3170, 
and  is  essentially  the  same  as  Malory's  version.  The  one  in  Huchown's 
Morte  Arthiire  is  much  more  detailed,  and  differs  widely  from  that  in 
our  text.  On  this  dream,  cf.  Branscheid,  Anglia,  viii,  Aiiz.,  p.  202. 
Dreams  foreboding  ill  and  introducing  wild  beasts  arc  not  uncommon 
in  mediaeval  romance.  In  Atnis  attd  Ainiloim,  11.  loio  seq.,  Amiloun 
dreams  that  Amis  is  in  trouble,  surrounded  by  wild  beasts.  In  the 
Fragment  of  the  Song  of  Roland  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  11.  77-103,  Charles  the 
Great  dreams  that  he  is  besieging  Saragossa,  when  Gwenlyn  tries  to  kill 
him.  Then  he  dreams  that  a  boar  has  siezed  him  by  the  right  hand 
and  bit  it  off ;  then  that  a  leopard  seizes  the  boar,  tearing  off  its  right 
ear.  In  The  Foiire  Sonnes  of  Aymon  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  part  i,  p.  152,  an  old 
knight  dreams  about  Reynawde,  son  of  Aymon,  who  sits  high  in  a  chair 
while  people  come  and  incline  themselves  before  him.  Then  R.  fights 
with  a  boar,  etc.  Later  R.'s  wife  dreams  that  she  sees  a  thousand 
boars  come  out  of  the  wood  and  rend  his  body  in  pieces. 

217  27.  the  serpentes.  We  are  reminded  of  the  Scandinavian 
legends  of  Gunnar  and  of  Ragnar  Lodbrok,  both  of  whom  were  cast 
into  a  pit  of  serpents.  Cf.  Oddriinar-Grdtr  in  Corp.  Poet.  Boreale,  vol. 
i,  p.  313,  and  the  Krdkii-Mdl,  ibid.,  vol.  ii,  p.  344. 

217  29.  up  SCO  dounc,  i.e.,  upside  down.  In  the  latter  phrase,  side  is, 
of  course,  a  corruption  of  soo,  itself  an  altered  form  of  O.  E.  s-wd.  Up 
soo  doiine  occurs  several  times  in  Chaucer.  Cf.  Skeat's  ed.,  i,  260,  263  ; 
Cant.  Tales,  A  1377,  G  625,  and  note  ;  also  Palmer's  Folk-Etym  ,  s.  v. 
upside-down. 

218  5.  So  the  kynge  semed,  i.e.,  it  seemed  to  the  king.  For  this 
dative,  see  Baldwin,  20  (b). 

219  16.     (^^ /^;-///«r-^j- (/rtyrj,  i.e.,  during  Arthur's  lifetime.     Cf.  215  17. 

219  23.  he  warned  al  hys  hoost  that,  and  they  see,  etc.  Note  the 
loose  sequence.     Cf.  Baldwin,  263. 

220  9.  beamoiis.  "An  error  for  beanius,  a  Westcountry  form  of 
beames  or  hemes,  the  plural  of  bemc,  a  trumpet,  from  the  A.  S.  beme  or 
byme,  a  trumpet."     Skeat,   Specimens  of  Eng.   Lit.,    A.D.  1394-1579, 

p.  403. 

220  10.     dressyd  hem  to  gyders.     "Arrayed  themselves  against  each 

other."     Skeat. 

220  16.     eyder  to  other.     Cf.  F.aldvvin,  132  (c). 


314  NOTES.  [Bk.  XXI,  Cap.  IV. 

220  22.  faiighte  alle  the  longe  day.  The  accounts  of  Arthur's  final 
!)attle  are  numerous  and  differ  considerably  in  detail.  Cf.  Geoffrey  of 
Monmouth,  Hist.  Reg.  Brit.,  xi,  2;  Lajamon's  Brut,  11.  28,532  seq.,  and 
Madden's  note,  iii,  408  ;  Iluchown's  Alorte  Arthure  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  11. 
4060-4346;  Morte  Arthur  (Harl.  2252),  etc. 

221  2.  where  were  (hat  traytour.  For  the  subjunctive,  see  Baldwin, 
228. 

221  14.  blessyd  by  God.  Wynkyn  de  Worde  reads  be,  which  seems 
preferable. 

221  17.  Tyde  me  deth,  betyde  me  lyf.  A  double  conditional  subjunc- 
tive.    Cf.  Baldwin,  210  (c). 

221  24.  ranne  untyl  hym.  Untyl  is  common  both  as  a  preposition 
and  as  a  conjunctive  adverb. 

221  26.    foyne.     Cf.  Skeat's  Chaucer,  v,  73. 

222  4.     a  lytel  chapel.     Cf.  Tennyson's  Morte  d' Arthur: 

then,  because  his  wound  was  deep, 
The  bold  Sir  Bedivere  uplifted  him, 
Sir  Bedivere,  the  last  of  all  his  knights. 
And  bore  him  to  a  chapel  nigh  the  field, 
A  broken  chancel  with  a  broken  cross 
That  stood  on  a  dark  strait  of  barren  land. 
On  one  side  lay  the  ocean,  and  on  one 
Lay  a  great  water,  and  the  moon  was  fulL 

222  8.  do  me  to  wyte  =  make  me  to  know.  Cf.  "  We  do  you  to  wit 
of  the  grace  of  God  bestowed  on  the  churches  of  Macedonia."  //  Cor 
viii,  I. 

222  9.  betokenes.  The  third  singular  indicative  in  -es  is  very  rare  h, 
Malory.  This  instance  and  the  form  werches,  1.  22,  are  the  only  two 
examples  cited  by  Baldwin,  177,  note. 

222  12.  pyllars  and  robbers.  See  remarks  on  the  plundering  of  the 
dead  after  a  mediaeval  battle,  Schultz,  Das  hofische  Leben,\\,  304.  "  Cf. 
Chaucer's  Knight's  Tale,  .Skeat's  ed.,  1.  147."     K. 

222  20.  it  is  beste  that  we  brynge  you.  For  the  subjunctive,  see 
Baldwin,  231. 

222  22.     /  may  tiot  =  I  cannot. 

222  22.     werches.     Aches,  lit.,  works. 

222  26.  the  one  parte,  and  Syr  Bcdwere  the  other  parte.  Baldwin 
doubtfully  explains  this  construction  as  partitive  apposition.  22  (b). 
but  also  admits  an  adverbial  construction  as  possible.  The  latter  seems 
preferable. 


Bk.  XXI,  Cap.  V.]  NOTES.  315 

222  29.     wyth  the  lyfte  =  with  the  effort  of  lifting. 

222  29.     the  parte  =  2i^z.i\.. 

IIZ  4.     that.     The  antecedent  is,  of  course,  he. 

223  12.      Therfore.     Cf.  Tennyson's  Morte  d' Arthur: 

"  Thou  therefore  take  my  brand  Excalibur, 
Which  was  my  pride       .... 


take  Excalibur 

And  fling  him  far  into  the  middle  mere ; 

Watch  what  thou  seest,  and  lightly  bring  me  word." 

223  21.    precyoHs  stones.     Cf.  Tennyson  : 

For  all  the  haft  twinkled  with  diamond  sparks, 
Myriads  of  topaz-lights,  and  jacinth-work 
Of  subtlest  jewellery. 

224  5.     waters  wappe  and  wawes  wanne.     Malory's  admirable  expres- 
sion is  hardly  equaled  in  Tennyson's  lines,  good  as  they  are  : 

1  heard  the  water  lapping  on  the  crag, 
And  the  long  ripple  washing  in  the  reeds. 

224  6.     traytour,  untrewe.     Cf.  Tennyson  : 

"  Ah,  miserable  and  unkind,  untrue, 
Unknightly,  traitor-hearted." 

224  9.     and  wold  betraye  me.     Cf.  Tennyson  : 

"  Thou  wouldst  betray  me  for  the  precious  hilt." 

224  13.     /  shal  slee  the.     Cf.  Tennyson  : 

"  But,  if  thou  spare  to  fling  Excalibur, 
I  will  arise  and  slay  thee  with  my  hands." 

The  [with']  in  the  text  is  added  for  the  sake  of  the  modern  reader,  but 
is  not  really  necessary.  Cf.  Chaucer's  Milleres  Tale  (Skeat),  A  3624  : 
"  His  owne  hand  he  made  laddres  three,"  and  Skeat's  note,  v,  107  : 
"  Tyrwhitt  points  out  the  same  idiom  in  Gower,  ed.  Pauli,  ii,  83  : 

The  craft  Minerve  of  woUe  fond 
And  made  cloth  her  ownc  hand. 

And  again,  ihid..  ii.  310: 

Thing  which  he  said  liis  owne  tnouth." 


316  NOTES.  [Bk.  XXI,  Cap.  V. 

224   19.     cavi  (lit  armc.     C'f.  Tennyson  : 

So  flash'd  and  fell  the  brand  Excalibur: 
But  ere  he  dipt  the  surface,  rose  an  arm 
Clothed  in  white  samite,  mystic,  wonderful, 
And  caught  him  by  the  hilt,  and  brandish'd  him 
Three  times,  and  drew  him  under  in  the  mere. 

Morie  d'' Arthur. 
11\  29.     a  lytyl  barge.     Cf.  Tennyson  : 

Then  saw  they  how  there  hove  a  dusky  barge 
Dark  as  a  funeral  scarf  from  stem  to  stern. 
Beneath  them ;  and  descending  they  were  ware 
That  all  the  decks  were  dense  with  stately  forms 
Black-stoled,  black-hooded,  like  a  dream  —  by  these 
Three  Queens  with  crowns  of  gold  —  and  from  them  rose 
A  cry  that  shiver'd  to  the  tingling  stars. 


Then  murmur'd  Arthur,  "  Place  me  in  the  barge," 

And  to  the  barge  they  came.     There  those  three  Queens 

Put  forth  their  hands,  and  took  the  King,  and  wept. 

But  she,  that  rose  the  tallest  of  them  all 

And  fairest,  laid  his  head  upon  her  lap. 

And  loosed  the  shatter'd  casque,  and  chafed  his  hands 

And  call'd  him  by  his  name,  complaining  loud. 

And  dropping  bitter  tears  against  his  brow 

Striped  with  dark  blood. 


Morte  d'' Arthur. 


225  11.     vale  of  Avylyon.     Cf.  Tennyson 


To  the  island-valley  of  Avilion  ; 
Where  falls  not  hail,  or  rain,  or  any  snow, 
Nor  ever  wind  blows  loudly ;  but  it  lies 
Deep-meadow'd,  happy,  fair  with  orchard-lawns 
And  bowery  hollows  crown'd  with  summer  sea 
Where  I  will  heal  me  of  my  grievous  wound. 

Morte  d' Arthur. 

Few  places  have  given  rise  to  more  discussion  than  Avalon.  Malory 
evidently  had  no  doubt  that  it  was  at  Glastonbury.  To  this  day  the 
height  behind  the  town  bears  the  name  Isle  of  Avalon.  Cf.  Baist,  Zeit- 
schrift  fiir  rom.  Phil.,  xix,  336  {Arthur  und  der  Graal).  Yet  accord- 
ing to  Rhys,  Studies,  p.  362, "  we  are  warranted  in  unmooring  it  [the  isle] 
and  attaching  it  to  the  west  coast  of  Cornwall."  Nutt,  Studies,  p.  223, 
remarks  :  "  Avalon  is  certainly  the   Welsh  equivalent  of  Tir-na  n-Og, 


Bk.  XXI,  Cap.  VI.]  NOTES.  317 

the  land  of  youth,  the  land  beyond  the  waves,  the  Celtic  paradise. 
When  or  how  this  Cymric  myth  was  localised  at  Glastonbury  we  know 
not."  He  adds  in  a  footnote  "  that  at  sometime  in  the  course  of  the 
1 2th  century  the  old  Christian  site  of  Glastonbury  took,  as  it  were,  the 
place  of  the  Celtic  paradise,  and  it  seems  far  more  likely  that  the  trans- 
formation was  effected  in  virtue  of  some  local  tradition  than  wholly 
through  the  medium  of  foreign  romances."  Cf.  also  Jacobs,  Celtic 
Fairy  Tales,  p.  244.  A  good  part  of  ch.  xiv,  "  Glastonbury  and  Gower," 
in  Rhys's  Studies  is  devoted  to  Avalon.  Zimmer,  in  Zeitschrift  fiir 
franz.  Spracke  u.  Lit.,  xii,  238  seq.,  holds  that  the  conception  of  the 
Isle  of  Avalon  was  borrowed  by  Geoffrey  of  Monmouth,  Hist.  Reg.  Brit., 
xi,  2,  from  Brittany,  and  that  before  his  time  nothing  was  known  of  it 
in  Welsh  literature.  Piitz,  ibiJ.,  xiv,  209,  shares  Zimmer's  opinion. 
Avaliin  is  mentioned  in  Marie  de  France's  Breton  lay  of  Lanval,  11. 
659-661,  as  the  place  to  which  Lanval's  fairy  lover  takes  him.  Cf. 
Kohler's  note  in  Warnke's  ed.  of  the  Lais,  p.  Ixxiii.  For  parallels  to 
Marie's  story,  cf.  Child,  Ballads,  ii,  318.  Avalon  is  described  in  the 
French  romance  of  Ogier  le  Danois  and  touched  upon  in  Drayton's 
Polyolbion,  Song  iii.  For  Sir  F.  Madden's  views  on  Avalon,  see  note  to 
Lajamon,  1.  28,590,  vol.  iii,  pp.  409-412.  See  also  Skeat's  Specimens 
of  Eng.  Lit.,  A.D.  1394-1579^  P-  404- 
225  23.     newe  graven.     Newly  dug. 

225  27.  I  wote  not  verayly,  etc.  I  do  not  certainly  know,  but  as  I 
infer. 

226  2.  besauntes.  "  A  gold  coin  first  struck  at  Byzantium  or  Con- 
stantinople, and  seemingly  identical  with  the  Roman  solidus  or  aureus, 
but  afterwards  varying  in  value  between  the  English  sovereign  and  half- 
sovereign,  or  less.  It  was  current  in  Europe  from  the  9th  century,  and 
in  England,  until  superseded  by  the  noble,  a  coin  of  Edward  III." 
N.  E.  D.,  s.  V. 

226  18.     wryton.     This  rare  form  occurs  also  227  3,  10. 

226  24.      Waste  Londes.     See  Rhys's  Studies,  p.  122. 

226  24.  A-yuyve.  This  name  assumed  a  great  variety  of  forms  in 
old  MSS.  The  true  form,  according  to  G.  Paris,  Introd.  to  Iluth 
Merlin,  p.  xiv,  is  Ninienne.  He  cites  a  large  number  of  variants. 
Tennyson  has  popularized  the  form  Vivien,  which  has  little  old  author- 
ity. A  good  note  on  the  origin  of  the  various  forms  is  found  in  Rhys's 
Studies,  p.  284. 

226  25.  that  had  wedded  Pelleas.  He  had  been  deeply  in  love  with 
Ettard,  but  she  scorned  him.  Then  by  enchantment,  the  Lady  of  the 
Lake  takes  away  the  love  of  Pelleas  for  Ettard,  but,  on  the  other  hand. 


318  NOTES.  [Bk.  XXI,  Cap.  VI. 

fills  her  with  a  hopeless  longing  for  Pelleas.  This  done,  the  Lady  of 
the  Lake  takes  him  herself,  and  Ettard  dies  of  grief.  Morte  Dart/nir, 
iv,  21-24.  For  Celtic  features  in  the  story,  see  Rhys's  Studies,  pp. 
279  seq. 

226  31.  buryellys.  The  O.  E.  birigels,  birgels,  byrgels,  burial  place, 
tomb,  may  have  survived  in  a  slightly  changed  form,  the  s  being  that  of 
the  singular.     Cf.  Baldwin,  14  (a). 

227  5.  Arthttr  is  not  deed.  The  belief  that  Arthur  is  to  come  again 
is  merely  one  of  a  great  number  of  similar  beliefs.  A  king  who  has 
apparently  died  or  has  been  overcome  in  battle  is  confidently  expected 
to  return  at  the  suitable  moment  and  lead  his  people  to  victory.  The 
legend  has  been  locahzed  in  more  than  one  country,  and  hence  presents 
a  variety  of  details,  but  the  essential  elements  are  similar  in  all. 

Charles  the  Great  was  believed  to  be  sleeping  and  awaiting  the 
summons  to  prepare  the  world  for  the  second  coming  of  Christ.  Harold, 
king  of  England,  was  believed  to  have  lived  long  after  the  battle  of 
Senlac.  Cf.  Lappenberg,  At2g/o-Saxon  Kings,  ii,  369,  370.  Most 
famous,  perhaps,  are  the  legends  of  Kaiser  Friedrich  II,  in  Kyffhauser- 
berg  (cf.  Koch,  Die  Sage  vom  Kaiser  Friedrich  im  K.),  and  of  Holger 
the  Dane,  in  the  castle  at  Elsinore. 

For  numerous  other  parallels  and  a  discussion  of  the  whole  ques- 
tion in  its  relations  to  folk-lore  and  mythology,  see  Nutt,  Studies,  pp. 
196-198  ;  Grimm,  Deutsche  Mythologie,  ch.  xxxiii ;  Mannhardt,  Die 
Gotterwelt  der  deutschen  u.  nordischen  Volker,  pp.  135-137  ;  Ward, 
Catalogue  of  Romances,  i,  217. 

The  persistence  of  stories  of  this  type  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  the 
Duke  of  Monmouth  was  popularly  believed  to  be  alive  even  after  his 
public  execution.     Cf.  Macaulay,  Hist,  of  Eng.,  i,  477. 

227  10.  Hie  iacet,  etc.  The  same  inscription  is  found  in  the  verse 
romance  of  Arthur,  1.  624  (E.  E.  T.  S.,  ii),  ed.  Furnivall.  In  the 
reign  of  Henry  II  (1189),  relates  Giraldus  Cambrensis,  in  his  Speculum 
Ecclesice,  ii,  g,  the  graves  of  Arthur  and  his  queen  were  discovered  at 
Glastonbury,  and  an  inscription  which  read  :  "  Hie  iacet  sepultus  incly- 
tus  rex  Arthurius,  in  insula  Avallonia,  cum  Wenneuereia  uxore  sua 
secunda."     See  also  Baist,  Zeitschrift  fur  rom.  Phil.,  xix,  336-339. 

227  19.  Almesburye.  The  modern  Amesbury  is  situated  a  few  miles 
to  the  north  of  Salisbury  in  Wiltshire.  "  A  Benedictine  nunnery  was 
founded  here  by  Queen  Elfrida,  circa  980.  It  subsequently  increased 
in  splendour  and  in  royal  favour,  and  became  a  favourite  retreat  for 
ladies  of  royal  or  noble  birth."    Murray's  Handbook  for  Eng.  and  Wales. 

The  accounts  of  Queen  Guenever  differ  widely.     Geoffrey,    xi,    i, 


Bk.  XXI,  Cap.  X.]  NOTES.  319 

says  that  after  the  return  of  Arthur,  and  before  the  great  final  battle, 
she  fled  from  York  to  the  City  of  Legions,  where  she  became  a  nun  in 
the  church  of  Julius  the  Martyr. 

Tennyson's  Guinevere  represents  the  queen  as  fleeing  to  Amesbury 
when  she  hears  that  Modred  has  usurped  the  kingdom.  Before  the  final 
battle  Arthur  visits  her  by  night,  delivers  a  touching  rebuke  for  her 
unfaithfulness  to  him,  and  bids  her  farewell  forever.  Tennyson's  version, 
however,  incorporates  some  of  Malory's  details. 

228  15.     thus  to  be  oversette.     Cf.  Baldwin,  247. 

228  22.  to  slee  .  .  .  Gaheris  .  .  .  awo'  .  .  .  Gai-eth.  When  Laun- 
celot  rescued  the  queen  from  being  burnt,  he  slew  all  who  stood  in  his 
path.  "  And  so  in  this  rassynge  and  hurlyng,  as  Syre  Launcelot  thrange 
here  and  there,  it  my[s]happed  hym  to  slee  Gaherys  and  Syr  Gareth 
the  noble  knyghte,  for  they  were  unarmed  and  unware.  .  .  .  How  be 
it,  in  veray  trouthe  Syr  Launcelot  sawe  hem  not,  and  soo  were  they 
fonde  dede  among  the  thyckest  of  the  prees"     xMorte  Darthur,  xx,  8. 

229  20.  made  a  dole.  The  codicil  to  the  will  of  Stephen  Thomas, 
1417-19,  provides  that  ten  bushels  of  malt  be  used  for  brewing  beer  for 
poor  men  ;  that  six  bushels  of  wheat  be  baked  into  half-penny  loaves  ; 
and  that  each  man  have  a  loaf  and  a  gallon  of  ale  as  far  as  it  will  go. 
Fifty  Earliest  Eng.  Wills,  ed.  Furnivall,  p.  40.  See  also  Brand's 
Pop.  Antiq.,  ii,  286-289;  Child's  Ballads,  iii,  201,  208-212;  and  237  3-4 
below. 

229  29.  offred  an  C  pounde.  On  offerings  at  funerals,  cf .  Brand,  ii, 
240,  248,  286;  and  an  excellent  note  in  The  Lay  Folk's  Mass  Book 
(E.  E.  T.  S.),  p.  242.     See  also  197  7,  atite. 

230  17.     no  bote  =  no  use. 

230  19.     avij  or  viij  dayes.     Cf.  140  7. 

230  27.  yender.  The  form  gender  is  found  in  Early  Eng.  Allit. 
Poems,  ii,  1617,  and  in  Halliwell's  Diet,  of  Arch,  and  Prov.  Words,  cited 
by  Stratmann-Bradley,  s.  v. 

231  34.  herte,  wylle,  and  thought.  Baldwin,  to  (d),  cites  herte  as  a 
survival  of  the  "  O.  E.  weak  feminine  genitive."  As  far  as  the  form  is 
concerned,  the  explanation  is  satisfactory,  and  we  then  read  herte  wille 
^i=  heart's  will.  On  the  other  hand,  we  doubtless  have  here  the  common 
old  division  of  all  the  powers  of  the  mind,  into  feeling,  will,  intellect. 

232  10.  hereviyte  other  graye  or  whyte.  Hermits  constituted  several 
lower  religious  orders  in  the  Middle  Ages,  and  wore  distinguishing 
costumes. 

232  17.     laementacyon.     The  ae  is  a  mere  printer's  blunder  for  a. 

233  3.     brother.     The  usual  form  in  Malory  is  (5r<7iZVr. 


320  NOTES.  [Bk.  XXI,  Cap.  X. 

233  21.     in  that  nianer  clothyng.   A  common  Chaucerian  construction. 

233  25.     BUoheris.     Cf.  Bleohoris,  1.  i  z. 

233  29.     last.     Probably  a  misprint  for  lust,  desire,  wish. 

233  34.  holpe.  Tiie  only  appearance  of  this  form  in  Malory.  Cf. 
Baldwin,  145,  152. 

234  5.     take  no  force.     Cared  not. 

234  8.     /'//  remyssyon  of^iox  the  remission  of. 

234  10.     by  thenne.     By  the  time  you  arrive  there,  etc. 

234  12.    pa7-cuey.     An  evident  blunder  for /«r2^t^. 

234  18.  that  ye  made  you  redy.  For  the  subjunctive,  see  Baldwin, 
231  (a). 

234  21.  XXX  myle.  The  distance  by  road  from  Glastonbury  to 
Amesbury  is  forty-seven  miles. 

234  23.  %vas  come  .  .  .  deyed.  For  the  sequence  of  tenses,  see 
Baldwin,  262  (b). 

235  7.  Dyryge.  "  As  the  first  anthem  at  matins  commenced  with 
'  Dirige '  .  .  .  the  whole  of  the  morning's  service,  including  the  Mass, 
came  to  be  designated  a  '  Dirige  '  or  '  Dirge.'  "  Rock,  Church  of  our 
Fathers,  ii,  503.  Quoted  in  Fifty  Earliest  Eng.  Wills,  p.  137.  See  also 
Skeat's  note  to  Piers  Plow7uan  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  part  iv,  sec.  i,  p.  "jt,  ;  and 
Ward's  note  to  Marlowe's  Dr.  Faustus,  2d  ed.,  p.  179. 

235  9.  torches  ever  bretmyng.  For  an  account  of  the  custom  of 
burning  torches  over  a  corpse,  see  Brand's  Pop.  Antiq.  (ed.  Ellis),  ii, 
276-279. 

235  18.  reqiiyem.  "  In  the  Roman  Catholic  Ofice  and  Masses  for  the 
Dead,  1853,  the  'Requiem'  (Requiem  aeternam  dona  eis,  Domine  et 
lux  perpetua  luceat  eis)  occurs  thrice  in  '  The  Mass  for  all  the  Faithful 
departed,'  pp.  65-71."     Fifty  Earliest  Eng.  Wills,  p.  137. 

235  21.  Ray  lies.  Rennes,  in  France,  celebrated  for  its  fine  cloth. 
In  the  will  of  Lady  Alice  West,  1319,  we  find  mention  of  "a  peyre 
schetes  of  Reynes."  Fifty  Earliest  Eng.  Wills  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  p.  4.  For 
other  references,  see  Fairholt's  Costume  in  England,  ii,  343  ;  Skeat's 
Chaucer,  iii,  255. 

235  27.     I  trust,  etc.     Cf.  Launcelot's  reply  with  Elayne's,  194  30. 

236  1.  careful,  i.e.,  full  of  grief,  sorrowful.  For  other  examples, 
see  JV.  E.  D.,  s.  v. 

236  11.     dwyned.     Cf.  modern  English  dwin-d-led. 

236  19.  The  following  rhapsody  is  inserted  at  this  point  in  Wynkyn 
de  Worde's  ed.  :  "  O  ye  myghty  and  pompous  lordes  shynynge  in  the 
glory  transitory  of  this  unstable  lyf,  as  in  regnynge  over  grete  realmes 
and  myghty  grete  countrees,  fortyfyed  with  stronge  castels  and  toure? 


Bk.  XXI,  Cap.  XII.]  NOTES.  321 

edifyed  with  many  a  ryche  cite  ;  ye  also  ye  fyers  and  myghty  knyghtes 
so  valyaunt  in  adventurous  dedes  of  armes,  beholde,  beholde,  se  how 
this  myghty  conquerour  kynge  Arthur,  whome  in  his  humayne  lyfe  all 
the  worlde  doubted  ;  ye  also,  this  noble  quene  Guenever,  whiche  som- 
tyme  sate  in  her  chayre  a^/ourned  with  golde,  perles,  and  precyous 
stones,  now  lye  full  lowe  in  obscure  fosse  or  pyt  covered  with  cloddes 
of  erth  and  claye.  Beholde  also  this  myghty  champyon  Syr  Launcelot, 
pereles  of  knyghthode,  and  se  now  how  he  lyeth  grovelynge  upon  the 
colde  moulde,  now  beynge  so  feble  and  faynt  that  somtyme  was  so 
terryble  how  a>id  in  what  maner  ought  ye  to  be  so  desyrous  of  worldly 
honoure  so  daungerous.  Therfore  me  thynketh  this  present  boke 
called  La  Mort  Uarthur  is  ryght  necessary  often  to  be  radde.  For  in  it 
shall  ye  fynde  the  moost  gracyous,  knyglitly,  and  vertuous  werre  of  ye 
moost  noble  knyghtes  of  the  world,  wherby  they  gate  praysyng  co«- 
tynual.  Also  me  semeth  by  ye  of  te  redyng  therof  ye  shall  gretely  desyre 
to  accustome  your  selfe  in  folowynge  of  those  gracyous  knyghtly  dedes, 
that  is  to  saye,  to  drede  God,  and  to  love  ryghtwysnes,  faythfully  atid 
coragyously  to  serve  your  soverayne  prynce.  And  the  more  yi  God 
hath  gyven  you  the  tryumphall  honoure,  the  meker  ye  ought  to  be,  ever 
ferynge  the  unstableness  of  this  deceyvable  worlde.  And  so  I  passe 
over  and  turne  agayn  unto  my  mater." 

236  24.  ryghtes  that  loiigetk.  Note  the  plural  form  in  -etk.  Cf, 
redeth,  240  8,  and  Baldvrin,  179. 

236  25.  It  shal  not  nede  you.  Cf.  Beda's  account  of  Caedmon's 
death,  I/ist.  Eccl.,  iv,  24. 

236  29.     hove.     An  evident  blunder  for  have. 

236  31.  howselyd  and  eneled.  Received  the  eucharist  and  extreme 
unction.     Cf.  Hafniet,  i,  5,  77. 

237  2.  Joyous  Garde.  Malory  elsewhere  (xx,  17,  18)  shows  that  he 
regards  Joyous  Garde  as  an  English  castle,  for  he  represents  Launcelot 
as  leaving  Joyous  Garde,  and  passing  over  the  sea  to  Benwyk.  Vet  he 
has  no  very  clear  idea  of  where  the  castle  is. 

237  3-4.  Anwyk  .  .  .  Hatnborow.  Alnwick  Castle,  the  magnificent 
seat  of  the  Percies,  is  in  Northumberland.  Wynkyn  de  Worde  reads 
Bamliorow  for  Hamborow,  which  has  no  recognized  existence.  Bam- 
borough  is  on  the  Northumbrian  coast,  a  number  of  miles  to  the  north 
of  Alnwick.  A  castle  was  erected  here  as  early  as  the  6th  century. 
Strachey  mentions  the  following  interesting  fact  :  "  It  now  contains  a 
granary,  hospital,  and  other  endowments  made  for  the  poor  in  17 15  by 
Lord  Crewe,  bishop  of  Durham.  Did  he  think  of  his  predecessor 
Launcelot,  and  his  doles  of  '  flesh,  fish,  wine  and  ale,  and  twelvepence 


322  NOTES.  [Bk.  XXI,  Cap.  XII. 

to  any  man  and  woman,  come  who  would  ?  "  Introd.  to  Morte  Darthur, 
p.  xviii.  A  third  claimant  for  the  site  of  Joyous  Garde  is  Berwick-upon- 
Tweed. 

237  15.  why  dyd ye  awake  tne  ?  Cf.  150  26.  Kohler  gives  a  number 
of  parallel  references  in  his  notes  to  Warnke's  ed.  of  the  Lais  of  Marie 
de  France,  p.  cviii. 

237  20.     angellys.     Cf.  164  25. 

237  27.  the  swettcst  savour.  The  orthodox  belief  in  the  Middle  Ages 
was  that  the  dead  body  of  a  person  of  evil  life  gave  off  an  evil  odor,  while 
the  body  of  a  saint  emitted  a  sweet  perfume,  the  odor  of  sanctity.  When 
the  paynim  Corsabryn  was  killed  {Morte  Darthur,  x,  44)  there  "  cam  a 
stynke  of  his  body  whan  the  soule  departed  that  there  myghi  no  body 
abyde  the  savoure."     On  the  other  hand,  at  the  death  of  Guthlac, 

him  of  mu^e  cwom. 
swecca  swetast.  swylce  on  sumeres  tid 
stincaS  on  stowum  stajielum  faeste 
wynnum  aefter  wongum  wyrta  geblowene. 

Guthlac  {Exeter  Book,  ed.  Gollancz),  11.  1272-1275. 

When  Earcongota,  daughter  of  the  king  of  Kent,  died,  her  body  gave 
out  a  sweet  savor.  Beda,  Hist.  Eccl.,  iii,  8.  William  of  Malmesbury 
tells  a  similar  story  of  Beda  himself,  Gesta  Keg.,  i,  3.  Of  St.  Frideswide 
we  read  that  when  she  died,  "  withall  forthwith  the  house  was  all 
replenished  with  wonderfull  light  sent  from  heauen,  and  such  a  sweete 
odoriferous  sauour  ensued,  and  that  so  aboundantlie,  that  all  the  towne 
was  filled  withall."  Lives  of  IVotnen  Saints  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  p.  82.  So, 
too,  of  St.  Walburge  we  read  :  "  her  holie  Reliques  .  .  .  were  founde 
not  onelie  intire,  but  also  bedewed  with  a  small  moisture,  whence  issued 
a  moste  fragrant  sauour  of  incredible  sweetnes."  Ibid.,  p.  86.  Cf.  also 
ibid.,  pp.  40,  91  ;  Bradshaw's  Life  of  St.  Werbiirge  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  11.  31 19- 
3125,  3382-3405;  Lovelich's  Holy  Grail,  ch.  37,  11.  433  seq. ;  Hodgkin, 
Italy  and  her  Invaders,  i,  476. 

238  5.  in  the  body  of  the  quere,  i.e.,  in  the  place  of  honor.  "  The 
bier,  if  the  deceased  had  been  a  clerk,  went  into  the  chancel ;  if  a  layman, 
and  not  of  high  degree,  the  bearers  set  it  down  in  the  nave,  hard  by  the 
church-door."  Rock,  Church  of  Our  Fathers,  ii,  472.  Quoted  by  Skeat, 
Chaucer,  v,  180. 

238  24.  This  famous  eulogy  on  Launcelot  does  not  stand  alone. 
He  is  praised  elsewhere  in  the  Morte  Darthur  in  similar  terms.  Cf.  vi, 
10,  where  he  has  rescued  a  damsel  from  an  assailant.  She  says  :  "  The 
curteyst  knyghte  thou  arte  and  mekest  unto  all  ladyes  and  gentyl- 
wymmen  that  now  lyveth." 


Bk.  XXI,  Cap.  XIIL]  NOTES.  323 

In  viii,  26,  Launcelot  is  compared  with  Tristram,  and  the  virtues  of 
both  are  enumerated. 

In  i.x,  II,  Bors  remarks  on  Launcelot:  "I  dare  saye  and  maiie  it 
good,  that  all  kynges  Crysten  nor  hethen  may  not  fynde  suche  a 
knyghte  for  to  speke  of  his  nobylnesse  and  curtosye  with  his  beaute 
and  his  gentylnesse." 

In  XV,  6,  a  recluse  calls  to  Launcelot  as  he  is  riding  by,  and  thus 
addresses  him :  "  A,  Launcelot,"  sayd  she,  "  as  longe  as  ye  were 
knyghte  of  erthely  knyghthode  ye  were  the  moost  merveillous  man  of 
the  world  and  moost  adventurous." 

The  lament  over  Gawayne  in  Huchown's  Morte  Arthure,  11.  3872- 
3879,  is  strikingly  like  the  eulogy  on  Launcelot  in  Malory : 

"  He  was  th^  sterynneste  in  stoure  that  &xer  stele  werryde, 
ffore  he  has  stonayede  cure  stale,  and  stroyede  for  euer!  " 
Than  %ir  Mordrede  whh  niouthe  melis  fulls  faire ; 
"  He  was  makles  one  molde,  mane,  be  my  trowhe ; 
This  was  s/>  Gawayne  the  gude,  Me  gladdeste  of  othire, 
And  the  graciouseste  gome  that  vndire  God  lyffede, 
Mane  hardyeste  of  hande,  happyeste  in  armes. 
And  Me  hendeste  in  hawle  vndire  heuen«  riche." 

Cf.  also  Lancelot's  lament  over  Gawayne  in  Lancelot  of  the  Laik, 
11.  2756  seq.  ;  the  lament  of  Charles  over  Roland  in  Caxton's  Lyf  of 
Charles  the  Crete,  p.  240.  Skeat's  note  to  Havclok  (E.  E.  T.  S.),  p.  87, 
should  be  compared  with  the  foregoing  remarks.  Strachey  quotes 
(Introd.  to  Morte  Darthnr,  p.  x)  : 

A  braver  soldier  never  couched  lance, 
-A.  gentler  heart  did  never  sway  in  court. 

Henry  VI,  part  i,  iii,  2. 

239  4.     Cf.  Tennyson's  lines  in  Elaine : 

he  seeni'd  the  goodliest  man 
That  ever  among  ladies  ate  in  hall. 

239  12.  Costantyn  .  .  .  was  chosen  kyiii^  of  Englond.  Cf.  Geoffrey 
of  Monmouth's  Hist.  Reg.  Brit.,  xi,  2. 

239  29.    favour  of  tnakers  ^  the  bias  or  opinion  of  poets. 

240  6.     an  C  and  xl.     Cf.  95  28. 

240  12.  the  ix  yere  of  the  reygne  of  kyng  Edward  the  Fourth.  Ed- 
ward was  first  recognized  as  king  on  M^r.  4,  1469.  The  ninth  year 
would  therefore  be  included  between   Mar.  3,  1469,  and  Mar.  3,  1470. 


324  NOTES. 

TnK  following  are  among  tlu-  more  important  of  the  publications 
that  have  recently  appeared  on  matters  of  interest  to  students  of 
Malory. 

Page  XXV. 

Le  Morte  D'Arthur,  by  Sir  Thomas  Malory,  with  an  Introduction  by 
John  Rhys.  (Everyman's  Library.)  London  and  New  York. 
2  vols.,  1906. 

Page  xxvii. 

Eugene  M.\son.  Arthurian  Chronicles  Represented  by  Wace  and 
Layamon.  (Everyman's  Library.)  London  and  New  \'ork.  No  date. 

Page  xxix. 

For  a  survey  of  Arthurian  literature,  see  the  following : 

WiLLi.^M  He.nry  Schofield.   English  Literature  from  the  Conquest 

to  Chaucer,  pp.  159-258.     New  York,  1906. 
The  Cambridge  History  of  English  Literature,  edited  by  A.  W.  Ward 

and  A.  R.  Waller,  vol.  i,  chaps,  xii,  xiii ;  vol.  ii,  chap.  xiv.     New 

York,  1907,  1908. 
John  Edwin  Wells.    A  Manual  of  the  Writings  in  Middle  English, 

1050-1400.    New  Haven  and  London,  1916.    (Arthurian  legends, 

pp.  27-82.) 

Page  xxxii. 

F.  Lot.  La  Patrie  des  "lais  bretons."  Romania,  xxviii,  1-48. 
(Directed  against  the  theories  of  Zimmer  and  Brugger.) 

Nouvelles  fitudes  sur  la  provenance  du  cycle  arthurien.    Ro- 
mania, xxvii,  529-573;  xxviii,  321-347;  xxx,  1-21. 

Page  xxxiii. 
E.  Brugger.      Ueber  die  Bedeutung  von  Bretagne,  Breton.     Zeit- 
schrift  filrfmiiz.  Spr.  7tnd  Lit.,  xx,  79-162.     (Sides  with  Zimmer 
against  Lot  and  G.  Paris.) 

Beitrage  zur  Erklarung  der  arthurischen   Geographic.    Zeit- 
sc/n-ift  fa r frail z.  Sp?:  11  ltd  Lit.,  xxvii,  69-116;  xxviii,  1-7 1. 
E.  Frevmond.     Beitrage  zur  Kenntniss  der  altfranzosischen  Artus- 
romane  in  Prosa.     Zeitschiift  fiir franz.  Spr.  iind  Lit.,  xvii,  1-128. 

Page  xxxiv. 
Robert  Huntington  Fletcher.     The  Arthurian  Material  in  the 
Chronicles,  especially  those  of  Great  Britain  and  France.     Stud- 
ies and  A'otes  in  Philology  and  Literature,  vol.  x.     Boston,  1906. 
Reviewed  by  Paul  Meyer.     Romania,  xxxvi,  335. 


NOTES.  325 

Page  xxxvii. 

William  Wells  Newell.  King  Arthur  and  the  Table  Round.  Tales 
chiefly  after  the  Old  French  of  Chrestien  of  Troyes,  with  an  ac- 
count of  Arthurian  Romances,  and  Notes.     2  vols.     Boston,  1897. 

William  Wistar  Comfort.  Erec  and  Enid,  by  Chretien  de  Troyes. 
Includes  also  Cliges,  Yvain,  Lancelot.  (Everyman's  Library.) 
London  and  New  York.    No  date. 

H.  Oskar  Sommer.  The  Vulgate  Version  of  the  Arthurian 
Romances,  edited  from  manuscripts  in  the  British  Museum. 
Vol.  i,  Lestoire  del  Saint  Graal,  1909  ;  vol.  ii,  Lestoire  de  Merlin, 
190S  ;  vol.  iii,  Le  Livre  de  Lancelot  del  Lac,  part  i,  1910  ;  vol.  iv, 
Le  Livre  de  Lancelot  del  Lac,  part  ii,  191 1  ;  vol.  v,  Le  Livre  de 
Lancelot  del  Lac,  part  iii,  1912;  vol.  vi,  Les  Aventures  ou  la 
Queste  del  Saint  Graal;  La  Mort  le  Roi  Artus,  1913;  vol.  vii, 
Supplement:  Le  Livre  Artus,  with  Glossary,  1913.  Index  of 
Names  and  Places  to  Volumes  I  to  VII,  1916.   Washington,  D.C. 

Page  xxxviii. 

Howard  Maynadier.     The  Arthur  of  the  English  Poets.     Boston 

and  New  York,  1907. 
W.Lewis  JoxES.    King  Arthur  in  History  and  Legend.    London,  191 1. 
Vida  D.  Scudder.     Le  Morte  Darthur  of  Sir  Thomas  Malory  and 
its  Sources.     New  York  and  London,  191 7. 

Page  xl. 

The  Misfortunes  of  Arthur  by  Thomas  Hughes  and  Others,  edited, 
with  an  Introduction,  Notes,  and  Glossary,  by  Harvey  Carson 
Grumbine.     Berlin,  1900. 

Page  xlii. 

M.  Walther.  Malory's  Einfluss  auf  Spenser's  Faerie  Queene.  Hei- 
delberg, 1899.     (Dissertation.) 

Page  xliv. 

M.  ScHULER.  Sir  Thomas  Malory's  "  Le  Mortc  d'Arthur  "  und  die 
englische  Arthurdichtung  des  XIX.  Jahrhunderts.  Strassburg, 
1900.     (Strassburg  dissertation.) 

Page  Hi. 

Gertrude  SniOEPrERLE.  Tristan  and  Isolt.  A  Study  of  the  Sources 
of  the  Romance.     Frankfurt  a.  M.  and  London.     2  vols.,  1913. 

Page  37  19. 

E.  Brugger.  L'Enserrement  Merlin.  Z^itschrift  filr franz.  Spr.  und 
Zz/!.,  xxix,  56-140;  xxx,  169-239;  xxxi,  239-281;  xxxiii,  145-194; 
xxxiv,  99-150;  XXXV,  1-55. 


326  NOTES. 

Page  65  13. 
J.  Loth.     Le  Roi  Loth  des  romans  de  la  Table  Ronde.     Revue  Cel- 
tique,  xvi,  I . 

Page  \l\. 
Jessie  L.  Weston.     The  Legend  of  Sir  Perceval:  Studies  upon  its 
Origin,    Development,    and    Position    in   the    Arthurian    Cycle. 
2  vols.     London,  vol.  i,  1906;  vol.  ii,  1909. 
H.    OsKAR    SoMMER.      Galahad    and    Perceval.     Modern    Philology, 
V.  55-84,  291-341. 

Page  158  ae. 

Arthur  C.  L.  Brown.  The  lilecding  Lance.  Publications  of  Mod- 
ern Language  Association  of  America,  xxv,  1-59. 

Page  244. 

Merlin,  a  Middle  English  Metrical  Version  of  a  French  Romance  by 
Herry  Lovelich,  Skinner  and  Citizen  of  London,  (Ab.  1450  a.d.). 
Edited  from  the  unique  MS.  80  in  Corpus  Christi  College,  Cam- 
bridge, by  Dr.  Ernst  A.  Kock.  Part  I  (11.  1-7869),  1904;  Part  II 
(11.  7870-15556),  1913.    (E.  E.  T.  S.,  Extra  Series,  XCIII,  CXIL) 

Page  246. 

F.  Lot.     Morgue  la  Fee  et  Morgan-Tud  (and  other  matters).     Ro- 

Diania,  xxviii,  321-347. 
Lucy  Allen  Paton.     Studies  in  the  Fairy  Mythology  of  Arthurian 
Romance.    Boston,  1903.   (Radcliffe  College  Monographs.)     Re- 
viewed by  A.  Jeanroy.     Romania,  xxxiv,  117-121. 

Page  250. 

Arthur  C.  L.  Brown.  The  Round  Table  before  Wace.  Studies 
and  Azotes  in  Philology  and  Literature,  vii,  183-205.     Boston,  1900. 

Lewis  F.  Mott.  The  Round  Table.  Publications  of  Modem  Lan- 
guage Association  of  America,  xx,  230-264.  Reviewed  by  E.  Brug- 
ger  in  Zeitschrift  filr  f-anz.  Spr.  und  Lit.,  xxix,  238-249. 

Page  251. 

G.  Paris.     Caradoc  et  le  Serpent.     Romania,  xxviii,  214-231. 

Page  267. 

William   A.  Nitze.      The    Fisher    King  in   the   Grail    Romances. 

Publications  of  Modern  Language  Associatioft  of  America,  xxiv, 

365-418. 
Arthur  C.  L.  IjRown.     Balin  and  the   Dolorous  Stroke.     Modern 

Philology,  vii,  203-206. 


NOTES.  327 

Page  273. 

E.  Wechssler.     Die  Sage  vom  Heiligen  Gral.     Halle  a.  d.  S.,  1S98. 
Alfred  Nutt.     The  Legends  ot  the  Holy  Grail.     London,  1902. 
The   High   History  of  the   Holy  Grail.     Translated  from  the  Old 
French  by  Sebastian  Evans.    (Temple  Classics.)    2  vols.   London 
and  New  York,  189S.     (Also  in  Everyman's  Library.) 
Jessie  L.  Weston.    The  Quest  of  the  Holy  Grail.    London,  1913. 

Page  293. 

Jessie  L.  Weston.  The  Legend  of  Sir  Lancelot  du  Lac :  Studies 
upon  its  Origin,  Development,  and  Position  in  the  Arthurian 
Romantic  Cycle.  London,  1901.  Reviewed  by  S.  Singer.  Aiiglia- 
Beiblatt,  xiv,  168-180. 

The  Three  Days'  Tournament.  A  Study  in  Romance  and  Folk- 
lore, being  an  Appendix  to  the  author's  Legend  of  Sir  Lancelot. 
London,  1902. 

Page  304. 

Robert  Thornton.  Morte  Arthure.  An  alliterative  Poem  of  the 
14th  Century,  from  the  Lincoln  MS.  Edited  by  Mary  Macleod 
Banks.  London,  1900.  (.^Iso  a  modernized  prose  version  in 
Everyman's  Library,  along  with  the  Harleian  verse  "  Morte 
Arthur,"  under  title  "  Two  Early  English  Romances.") 

Page  305. 
J.  Douglas  Bruce.  The  Middle  English  Metrical  Romance  "  Le 
Morte  Arthur"  (Harleian  MS.  2252):  its  Sources  and  its  Rela- 
tion to  Sir  Thomas  Malory's  "  Morte  Darthur."  Anglia,  xxiii, 
N.  F.  xi,  67-100.  (This  paper  fully  substantiates  my  conclusion 
concerning  the  relation  of  Malory's  work  to  the  English  metrical 
romance.) 

Page  312. 
Jessie  L.  Weston.     The  Legend  of  Sir  Gawain :   Studies  upon  its 

Original  Scope  and  Significance.     London,  1897. 
George  L.  Kittredge.     A  Study  of  Gawain  and  the  Green  Knight, 
Cambridge,  191 6.     Cf.  also  a  paper  by  J.  R.  Ilulbert,  Modern 
Philology,  vol.  xiii,  433-462  ;   6S9-730. 

Page  316. 

F.  M.  Warren.     The  Island  of  Avalon.     Modem  Language  Notes, 

February,  1899. 
Avalon.     Notes  and  Queries,  8th  Series,  vii,  87,  211. 
F.  Lot.     Glastonbury  et  Avalon.     Romania,  xxvii,  529-573. 


GLOSSARY. 


abate,  v-,  to  hound  on,  to  set  on 

(as  a  dog),  200  11. 
abyde,  v.,  to  abide,  await,  remain, 

endure,  65  7. 
abylement,   sb.,    dress,    clothing, 

34  6. 
accompte,  v.,   to  count,  calculate, 

95  27. 
accord,  sb.^  agreement,  peace,  18  16. 
ado,  adoo,  sh.,  trouble,  difficulty  ; 

troublesome  business,  46  3. 
adrad,  //.,  afraid,  frightened,  put 

in  dread,  34  23,  113  19. 
afer,    adv.,    afar,  at    a    distance, 

143  24. 
aferejZ/.,  to  frighten,  terrify ;  aferd, 

//.,  42  2. 
affyaunce,   sb.,  faith   pledged   to, 

trust,  confidence,  214  27. 
afore,  adv.,  prep.,  before,  77  4. 
agreve,  v.,  to  bear  heavily  on,  to 

grieve,  oppress,  25  30. 
al,  adj.,  all,  17  13. 
al  one,  adj.,  adv.,  alone,  47  2. 
alaye,  v.,  to  quiet,  alleviate,  158  7. 
allygeaunce,       sb.,       alleviation, 

lightening,  relief,  195  4. 
almery,  sb.,  press,  book-case,  165 

31. 
almesse,  sb.,  alms,  charity,  137  7. 
and,  conj.,  and,  also,  if,  IS  23. 


anone,  adv.,  at  once,  16  7. 
anvylde,  anvyld,  sb.,  anvil,  22  7. 
apaye,  v.,  pp.,  apayed,  contented, 

pleased,  203  17. 
apeche,  v.,  to  hinder,  impeach,  to 

charge  with  crime,  to  cite  before 

a  court,  4  14. 
appele,  v.,  to  charge  with  a  crime, 

to  accuse,  to  appeal,  189  24. 
appertenaunce,  sb.,  appurtenance, 

that  which  appertains  or  belongs 

to,  21  11. 
arage,  v.,  to  put  in  a  rage,  to  ren- 
der furious,  150  1. 
arase,  v.,  to  pull  up  by  the  roots, 

to  tear  off,  209  5. 
arraunt,  adj.,  errant,  103  2o. 
arson,  sb.,  bow  of  the  saddle,  205  3. 
aspye,  sb.,  spy,  185  28. 
aspye,  v.,  to  look  after,  to  watch, 

search,  observe,  18  1,  47  27. 
assaye,  v.,  to  examine,  try,  attack, 

43  6. 
assote,  v.,  to  dote  upon  somebody, 

to  be  deeply  enamored,  smitten, 

1   22. 
assoyle,  v.,  to  loosen,  to  absolve, 

119  30. 
at     travers,     adv.,    prep.,     right 

through,  opposite,  across  {/'>'.  a 

travers),  156  20.     See  note. 


330 


GLOSSARY. 


atte,  contraction  of  at,  prep.,  and 
the  dt'f.  art.  the  ;  atte  last,  78  3  ; 
atte  hynde,  200  26.     Cf.  p.  sgs. 

attones,  adv.,  at  once,  instantly, 
174  16. 

aulter,  sb.,  altar,  26  20. 

auncyent,  adj.,  old,  87  4. 

avaylle,  .c^.,  advantage,  221  20. 

aventre,  v.,  to  put  the  spear  along 
the  side,  in  order  to  attack  one's 
adversary,  77  9. 

aventure,  adventure,  sb.,  chance, 
occurrence,  jeopardy,  risk,  ex- 
ploit, 52  5,  52  16,  104  7.  See 
also  N.  E.  D.,  adventure. 

avyse,  v.,  to  advise,  to  give  ad- 
vice ;  avysed,  pt.,  15  24. 

ayenst,  ayenste,  prep.,  conj., 
against,  3  25. 

barayne,  adj.,  barren,  200  12. 

barbe,  sb.,  beard,  or  anything  re- 
sembling it ;  jags  or  points 
which  stand  backward  in  an 
arrow,  dart,  or  spear;  barbys, 
//.,  200  28. 

barget,  sb.,  bark,  boat,  195  23 
(diminutive  of  barge). 

baronage,  sb.,  the  men  vassals  of 
a  feudal  chief ;  assembly  of  the 
barons,  49  19. 

batail,  batayll,  bataylle,  j^.,  (i)  a 
battle,  fight,  20  21  ;  (2)  army, 
63  25. 

bayne,  sb.,  bath,  188  26. 
beamous,  sb.  pL,  trumpets,  220  9. 

See  fiote. 
beaulte,  sb.,  beauty,  235  31. 
beaume,  sb.,  beam,  ray  of  light,  92  6. 
befalle,  v.,  to  befall,  happen  ;  be- 

fel,  pt.,  15  1. 


beginne,  v.,   to  begin;   begonne, 

//.,  2  12. 
begrype,  v.,  to  seize,  to  take  hold 

of,  125  31. 
beholde,  v.,  to  hold,  to  behold  ;  be 

holdyng,   for   beholden,   25   2, 

117  24. 
behote,  v.,  to  promise,  71  1  ;  be- 

hyht,  pt.,  166  6. 
behove,    v.,    impers. ;     behoveth, 

prs.,  needs,  138  7. 
berde,  sb.,  beard,  4  27. 
bere,  v.,  to  bear,  164  12 ;  bare,  pt., 

164  25  ;  borne,  pp.,  170  19. 
besaunt,  sb.,  a  gold  coin   named 

from  Byzantium,  226  2. 
beseme,   v.,    to    beseem,   appear, 

158  12. 
bestadde,  //.,  hard  bestead,  sorelj 

imperilled,  207  34. 
besy,  adj.,  busy,  187  28. 
bisee,  v.,  to  look,  to  arrange,  ap- 
point,    manage  ;     bisene,    //., 

equipped,  27  25. 
bitake,    v.,    to    commit,    entrust, 

recommend,  24  22. 
bobaunce,  sb.,  pride,  vanity,  splen- 
dor, pomp,  184  7. 
boote,    bote,    sb.,    remedy,    help, 

amendment,  206  31. 
bote,    sb.,    boat,    214    16 ;    boote, 

76  25. 
bott,  sb.,  butt,  the  point,  handle, 

40  18. 
bottlere,  botteler,  butlere,  sb.,  the 

butler ;  Sire  Lucan  the  Butte- 

lere,  173  10. 
bounte,     sb.,     bounty,     liberality, 

kindness,  155  30. 
boystous,  adj.,  boisterous,  rough, 

60  17. 


GLOSSARY. 


331 


breed,  sb.,  bread,  159  3. 

brenne,  v.,  to  burn,  47  n. 

breste,  v.,  to  burst,  72  20  ;  braste, 
pt.,  98  1. 

brethe,  sb.,  breath,  vapor,  149  31. 

broche,  sb.,  brooch  ;  brochys, 
222  14. 

bryse,  v.,  to  crush,  break,  to 
wound  seriously,  77  14. 

bur,  sb.,  a  broad  iron  ring  just  be- 
low the  grip  of  a  spear  to  pre- 
vent the  hand  from  slipping, 
221  30. 

burbyl,  v.,  to  bubble,  200  2. 

burgeis,  sb.,  burgess,  citizen, 
171  14. 

buryellys,  sb.  pi.,  burial,  226  3i. 

but  yf,  conj.,  unless,  20  25. 

buttom,  sb.,  bottom  or  "  button," 
scab  of  a  wound,  189".    Sec  note. 

byheste,  sb.,  promise,  193  33. 

caas,  sb.,  case,  181  I3. 

cankeryd, //.,  corrupted,  215  6. 

cantel,  sb.,  piece,  bit,  edge,  43  \^. 

carve,  v.,  to  carve,  cut  ;  carfe,  pt., 
121  27. 

carryks,  sb.  pL,  small  ships,  214  3. 

cast,  v.,  to  purpose,  plan,  192  29. 

caytyf,  sb.,  adj.,  wretch,  unfortu- 
nate, base,  186  24. 

cedle,  sb.,  a.  small  leaf  of  paper 
or  parchment  containing  some 
writing,  schedule,  215  12  ;  sedyl, 
215  30. 

cered,  //.,  waxed,  235  20. 

certes,  adv.,  certainly,  surely,  85  24. 

chaflet,  sb.,  a  small  stage,  platform, 
217  22. 

chappytre,  chapytre,  sb.,  chapter, 

1    17. 


charge,  sb.,  impressive  command, 

15  26. 
chauffe,  v.,    to   heat,  to   become 

hot ;  chauffed,  //.,  172  3i. 
chaundeler,  sb.,  candlestick,  115  13. 
chayer,  sb.,  chair,  stool,  seat,  42 11. 
chere,   sb.,   entertainment,   15   11  ; 
countenance,  face,  mien,  96  18, 
117  28. 
cherete,  sb.,  charity,  love,  friend- 
ship ;  chyerte,  94  5. 
chese,  v.,  to  choose,  163  12. 
chorle,  sb.,  churl,  peasant,  rustic, 

31  II. 
chyef,  sb.,  adj.,  chief,  head,  uppei 

part,  principal,  152  15. 
chyerte,  sb.    See  cherete. 
clene,   adj.,  adv.,    clean,  entirely, 

115  33. 
cloystre,    .f*^.,    cloister,    convent, 

monastery,  230  21. 
cofer,  .f^.,  bo.x,  coffer,  130  18. 
cole,  sb.,  coal,  charcoal,  127  27. 
comberaunce,    .f^.,    encumbrance 

50  2. 
comyns,  sb.,  the  commons,  inhabi 

tants,  citizens,  30  15. 
condesended,  //.,  agreed,  219  18. 
conduyt,  sb.,   conduct,   guidance, 

68  15. 
coste,  V.  (hunting  term),  to  keep 
in  parallel  course  with  the  ani- 
mal, 200  14. 
counceille,  v.,  to  advise,  15  16. 
countray,  countrey,  countre,  sb., 

country,  73  24,  73  27. 
coupe,  sb.,  cup,  136  32. 
cours,  sb.,  course,  77  12. 
covyn,  sb.,   conspiracy,    craft,  de- 
ceit, 109  14. 
coyfe,   sb.,   coif,   cap ;    "  a   close- 


332 


GLOSSARY. 


fitting  skull-cap  of  iron  or  steel, 

or  later  of  leather,  worn  under 

the    helmet."     N.   E.    D.    s.  v., 

113  9,  121  24. 
crofte,  sf>.,  an  underground  cell  or 

chapel,  LS.S  26. 
croke,  7'.,  to  bend,  to  turn  aside  ; 

croked,  //.,  bent,  162  14. 
croppe,  sf>.,  crupper,  hinder  part  of 

a  horse,  SI  21. 
cryppyl,  sb.,  cripple,  162  22. 
curtois,  adj.,  courteous,  52  9. 
curtoyse,  curtosye,  sb.,  courtesy, 

1    10. 

dawe,  z'.,  to  dawn,  to  become  day, 
123  29. 

debonair,  adj.,  mild,  gentle,  127  29. 

dede,  adj.,  dead,  19  13. 

dedely,  adj.,  mortal,  164  2. 

defaute,  sb.,  defect,  fault,  64  16. 

defence,  sb.,  prohibition,  prohibi- 
tory ordinance,  127  9. 

defende,  t.,  to  defend,  protect,  for- 
bid, 42  18,  lOS  2. 

defowle,  v.,  to  tread  down,  rebuke, 
defoyled,  //.,  50  21. 

dele,  sb.,  part,  deal,  share,  17  13. 

departycyon,  sb.,  departure,  93  is. 

dere,  ?'.,  to  harm,  injure,  102  14. 

devoyr,  sb.,  devoir,  knightly  duty, 
220  21. 

devyse,  v.,  to  arrange,  decide, 
17  32. 

disaventur,  sb.,  misadventure,  mis- 
chance, lis  4. 

dole,  sb.,  charity,  dole,  share,  por- 
tion, 229  20. 

dole,  doole,  sb.,  grief,  pain,  sorrow, 
24  24. 

domage,  dommage,   sb.,  damage. 


loss,  38  8,  56  17  ;  dammage, 
44  3. 

dome,  sb.,  doom,  147  n. 

doon,  v.,  to  do,  put,  make,  cause  ; 
dyd,//.,  20  21. 

douve,  sb.,  dove,  pigeon,  83  24. 

drede,  7'.,  to  fear,  186  20. 

dretchyng,  sb.,  vexing,  troubling, 
237  21. 

dure,  v.,  to  last,  endure,  131  5. 

dwelle,  v.,  to  dwell,  rest,  remain, 
17  8. 

dwyne,  7'.,  to  waste  away,  to  pine, 
languish,  236  11. 

dyghte,  v.,  to  order,  rule,  prepare, 
adorn,  //.,  72  24. 

Dyryge,  sb.,  name  of  an  anthem 
in  the  Mass  for  the  Dead,  be- 
ginning, in  Latin,  with  the 
words,  "  Dirige,  Dominus 
meus,"  235  7. 

echone,    echon,    adj.,    each    one, 

66  10. 
efte,  adv.,  again,  224  1. 
egrely,     adv.,     eagerly,     fiercely, 

72  18. 
emeraude,  sb.,  emerald,  130  9. 
emonge, /^r/.,  among,  224  30. 
enbroudre,  v.,  to  embroider,  170  26. 
enbusshed,  //.,  taken  in  ambush, 

35  10. 
enchauffe,  v.,  to  make  hot,  to  heat, 

184  25. 
encheve,  enchieve,  v.,  to  achieve, 

to  perform,  fulfil,  22  20. 
endelonge,  «(/7'.,  lengthwise,  233 14. 
enele,  v.,    to  administer  extreme 

unction  ;  enelyd,  //.,  236  31. 
enoynt,  7'.,  to  anoint ;  enoynted, 

//.,  17  14. 


GLOSSARY. 


333 


entente,  sb.,  intention,  heed,  pur- 
pose, contents,  17  2,  197  2. 

entere,  v.,  to  inter,  bury,  19S  4. 

enterement,  sl>.,  interment,  burial, 
66  1. 

enterpryse,  emprise,  enpryse,  v., 
to  undertake,  commence,  1  8. 

entremedled,  sl>.,  intermingled, 
149  3^. 

entrete,  sl>.,  treaty,  IS  20. 

ermytage,  sIk,  hermitage,  225  19. 

erm5rte,  sb.,  hermit,  44  28 ;  ere- 
myte,  212  28. 

everyche,  adj.,  every  one,  every, 
each,  47  11  ;  everyche  other, 
each  other,  77  24. 

eyder,  adj.,  either,  220  16. 

eye,  sb.,  eye ;  eyen,  //.,  30  13, 
117  19. 

facyon,  sb.,  shape,  fashion,  125  12. 

fadom,  sb.,  fathom,  221  27. 

falle,  v.,  to  fall ;  fylle,  pt.,  69  21. 

fare,  sb.,  journey,  doing,  business, 
behavior,  230  26. 

fay,  sb.,  fay,  fairy,  person  endowed 
with  supernatural  powers  (sur- 
name of  Morgan,  king  Arthur's 
sister),  37  30 

fayne,  adj.,  glad,  73  31. 

fayter,  sb.,  imposter,  vagabond, 
preiender,  64  19. 

feaute,  sb.,  track,  trace,  200  22. 

feaute,  sb.,  fealty,  fidelity,  the  vas- 
sal's oath  to  his  feudal  lord, 
110  6. 

fer,  ferre,  adj.,  adv.,  far,  51  11, 
146  26,  165  Jo. 

fere,  v.,  to  fear,  29  2. 

fete,  sb.,  deed,  knightly  feat; 
fetys, //.,  119  27. 


fette,  v.,  to  fetch,  35  9 ;  fet,  //., 

5  30. 
fewning,  sb.,  thrusting,  220  15. 
flammynge,  sb.,  flaming,  156  1. 
flee,  v.,  to  fly,  flee ;  flay,  pt.,  121  13. 

Cf.  Mod.  Lang.  N'otes,  x.  93. 
fleme,  sb.,  to  put  to  flight.  111  9. 
flete,  v.,  to  float,  swim,  85  ll. 
flore,  v.,  to  flower,  flourish,  209  12. 
florysshe,  v.,  to  flourish,  to  cause 

to  prosper,  208  28,  209  14. 
force,    sb.,    force,    matter,    conse- 
quence, compulsion ;   no  force, 

it  matters  not,  45  4 ;  I  take  no 

force,  53  26. 
fordo,  v.,  to  destroy,  perish,  79  23. 
forne.     S^c  to  forne. 
forthynke,   v.,    to  repent,    54  13, 

149  10  ;  me  forthynketh,  153  3. 
forward,  adj.,  ready,  71  3. 
foryeve,  v.,  to  forgive;  foryaf, //., 

26  19. 
fowle,  sb.,  bird,  116  26. 
foyle,  v.,  to  tread  down,  to  trample 

on,  209  19. 
foyne,  sb.,  a  thrust,  a  prick,  221  26. 
frunt,  sb.,  front,  65  5. 
fyaunce,  sb.,  promise,  confidence, 

trust,  20  8. 
fyersly,     adzr,     fiercely,    boldly, 

56  30. 
fynde,  v.,  to  find ;   y-fonde,  //., 
134  29. 

galeye,  sb.,  galley,  a  long,  low- 
built  ship  with  one  deck,  214  3. 

garnysshe,  v.,  to  supply,  equip, 
to  provide  with,  16  5. 

germayn,  adj.,  closely  allied, 
derived  from  the  same  stock,  of 
the  first  degree,  67  12. 


334 


GLOSSARY. 


gete,  v.,  to  get,  gain,  beget ;  gate, 

pt.,  1    16. 

gonne,  sb.,  gun,  212  2. 
Gramercy,  j';^.,  many  thanks,  36  7. 
grete,  adj.,  great,  15  9;   gretter, 

romp.,  19  5. 
gryffon,  j^^.,  griffin,  34  26. 
grym,  adj.,  fierce,  horrible,  grim, 

heavy,  72  17. 
grysely,    adj.,    horrible,  dreadful, 

176  29. 
gyse,  sb.  pi.,  geese,  31  7. 

halse,  v.,  to  embrace,  75  4. 

harneis,  -f-^.,  armor,  90  28. 

hate,  v.,  to  be  called ;  hyght,  pt., 

16  9. 
hauberk,  sb.,  a  coat  of  ringed  mail, 

armor  protecting  the  neck,  57  20. 
haute   prynce,    the   high   prince ; 

surname    of    Galahad,  son    of 

Launcelot,  and  of  Galahad  of 

Surluse,  171  29. 
hede,  heede,  sb.,  head,  53  24. 
hele,  sb.,  health,  soundness,  salva- 
tion, 142  2. 
helpe,  v.,  to  help ;  halpe,  //.,  70  9 , 

holpen, //.,  143  u. 
hem,  pron.,  them,  21  33. 
hens,  ad'i'.,  hence,  15  17. 
her,  pron.,  their,  2>Z  5. 
herberowe,    sb.,   lodging,   shelter, 

111  20. 
herberowe,  v.,  to  lodge,  provide 

shelter,  109  10. 
here,  sb.,  hair,  134  25. 
herowde,  sb.,  herald,  175  30. 
herte,  sb.,  hart,  13S  14. 
hit,  pron.,  it,  15  l. 
hole,  hool,  adj.,  whole,  entire,  16 

22 ;  holer,  coiup.,  44  15. 


holte,  sb.,  a  wood,  holt,    wooded 

hill,  grove,  225  18. 
hoost,  sb.,  host,  army,  16  14. 
hore,  adj.,   hoar,  hairy,   white  or 

grayish-white,  aged,  75  30. 
hostry,  sb..  inn,  54  24. 
howsel,  v.,  to  housel,  to  administer 

tlie    Eucharist;  howselyd,  //., 

236  31. 
hurtle,  v.,  to  rush,  to  dash  against, 

to  throw  down,  43  19. 
hydous,   adj.,    dreadful,    terrible, 

229  5. 
hye,  hyhe,  v.,  to  hie,  hasten,  54  33. 
hyghe,  adj.,  high,  22  is. 
hyght.     See  hate, 
hyhenes,  sb.,  highness,  95  i. 
hylle,  v.,  to  cover,  protect,  163  18. 
hynde,  sb.,  hind,  female  of  a  stag, 

200  21. 

jesseraunce,  sb.    See  jesseraunte. 

jesseraunte,  sb.,  a  short  cuirass  of 
fine  mail,  29  7 ;  jesseraunce, 
91  4.     See  note  to  29  7. 

joyne,  v.,  to  enjoin  upon,  to  com- 
mand, 119  28. 

justes,  sb.,  tournament ;  a  justes, 
22  27.     See  note. 

kay,  sb.,  key,  108  24. 

kele,  v.,  to  cool,  209  24. 

kepe,  v.,  to  preserve,  guard,  ob- 
serve, 29  15. 

kepe,  sb.,  heed,  104  9. 

kerve,  v.,  to  carve,  127  l. 

knouleche,  sb.,  knowledge,  178  11. 

knylle,  v.,  to  knell,  toll,  233  17. 

kybbet,  sb.,  cubit,  236  13. 

kynde,  sb.,  kind,  nature,  race, 
146  9. 


GLOSSARY. 


335 


laste,  v.,  to  extend,  129  21. 
laton,  sb.,  brass,  bronze,  66  8. 
laughe,  v.,   to  laugh  ;  lough,  pt., 

2S30. 
laules,  adj.,  lawless,  33  14. 
launcynge,  sb.,  launching,  214  6. 
lawde,  sb.,  praise,  179  13. 
layne,  v.,  to  hide,  conceal,  178  19. 
layte,  sb.,  lightning,  143  17. 
leche,  sb.,  physician,  33  11. 
leed,  sb.,  lead,  235  22. 
leaf,    adj.,    dear,    beloved,    glad  ; 

lever,  comp.,  rather,  6426, 140  17. 
lene,  v.,  to  lend,  grant,  169  19. 
lenger,  adj.  and  adv.,  coftip.,  longer, 

159  21. 
lese,  v.,  to  lose,  31  13. 
lette,  v.,  to  hinder,  214  4. 
lever.     See  leef . 
levyd,  adj.,  covered  with  leaves, 

172  7. 
lewde,  adj.,   unlearned,  ignorant, 

simple,  base,  47  20. 
leyne,  pp.,  lain,  154  25. 
leyser,  sb.,  leisure,  239  10. 
londage,     sb.,     landing,     coming 

ashore,  214  4. 
long,  longe,  v.,  to  belong,   21  16, 

90  28. 

lough,  //.  of  laughe,  28  30. 
lycours,  adj.,  lecherous,  209  22. 
lyfte,  adj.,  141  5. 
lygge,  v.,   to  lie,   214  23  ;    lyen, 

pp.,  15  12. 
lymme,  sb.,  limb,  217  30. 
lyste,  v.,  impers.,  to  desire  ;   me 

lyst,  68  30. 
lyttar,  sb.,  a  vehicle  containing  a 

bed,  20  24. 
lyvelode,  sb.,  way  of  life,  mode  of 

life,  19  31. 


mageste,  sb.,  majesty,  162  1. 

magre,  prep.,  in  spite  of,  42  16. 

make,  v.,  to  make  ;  maad,  pp., 
1  22. 

maker,  sb.,  maker,  writer,  author, 
poet,  239  29. 

male  engyn,  sb.,  evil  disposition, 
malice,  wickedness,  192  14. 

marche,  sb.,  march,  boundary, 
border,  33  23. 

masse  peny,  sb.,  offering  at  the 
altar,  197  7.     See  note. 

matere,  mater,  sb.,  matter,  mate- 
rial, stuff,  1  20. 

maulgre,  prep.,  in  spite  of,  137  15. 
See  also  magre. 

maylle,  sb.,  mail,  defensive  armor 
for  the  body,  formed  of  steel 
rings  or  network,  98  l. 

maystry,  sb.,  mastery,  t.e.,  feat  of 
skill,  24  9. 

medle,  sb.,  medley,  fight,  combat, 
203  2. 

medle,  v.,  to  mix,  to  cohabit, 
130  27. 

mensyon,  sb.,  commemorative  in- 
scription, mention,  68  23. 

merveille,  v.,  to  wonder,-  to  be  as- 
tonished, 18  13. 

merveille,  mervaylle,  sb.,  marvel, 
wonder,  3  9. 

merveyls,  adj.  ?  162  22. 

mesel,  sb.,  leprosy  {the  word  liter- 
ally means  leper),  141  29. 

messager,  sb.,  messenger,  15  29. 

meve,  v.,  to  move,  suggest,  IS  25. 

mever,  sb.,  mover,  135  2.    See  note. 

mo,  moo,  adj.,  comp.,  more,  28  31, 
160  10. 

moche,  adj.,  adv.,  great,  much, 
16  17. 


336 


GLOSSARY. 


mone,  sh.,  the  moon,  222  la. 
morne,  si'.,  morning;  to  morne,  in 

the  morning,  21  6,  74  5. 
mote,    v.,  first  pers.    sing.,    may, 

must,  37  15. 
moyane,  sh.,  means  ;  by  the  moy- 

ane,  by  means  of,  3  5;  by  the 

meane,  4  24. 
mykel,    adj.,   adv.,   great,    much, 

17  'Jl. 
mys  creature,  sb.,  evil  man  ?  unbe- 
liever ?  125  2. 
myscreant,  sh.,  unbeliever,  240  2. 
mysenformed,  //.,    misinformed, 

52  :io. 
mysere,  sb.,  misery,  61  2. 

nece,  sb.,  niece,  157  22. 

newe  f angle,  adj.,  nevi^  fangled, 

desiring  new  things,  213  32. 
neysshe,  adj.,  tender,  soft,  118  29. 
nold,  pt.,  s.,   would    not,  142   14. 

{From  nylle.) 
none,  sb.,  noon,  74  13. 
nonnerye,  sb.,  nunnery,  230  19. 
noselynge,    adv.,    on    the    nose, 

headlong,  129  10. 
noye,  v.,  to  annoy,  grieve,  152  24. 
noyous,    adj.,    hurtful,    annoying, 

136  11. 
nygromancye,  sb.,  magic,  sorcery, 

necromancy,  19  2. 
nylle,  v.,  first  and  third  pers.  sing., 

will  not,  29  5  ;  nyll,  56  28. 
nys,  v.,  third  pers.  sing.,  is  not, 

214. 

obeissaunce,  sb.,  obedience,  27  9. 
ony,  profi.,  any,  195  34. 
ooste,  sb.,  host,  inn-keeper,  70  27. 
or,  prep.,    conj.,  adv.,  before,  ere, 
18  5,  73  31. 


ore,  sb.,  oar,  145  6. 

orgule,  sb.,  pride,  haughtiness, 
236  2. 

orgulous,  adj.,  proud,  55  ll ; 
moost  orgulist,  superl.,  1\1  24. 

other,  outher,  conj.,  either,  35  3i, 
97  4. 

overthwart,  adv.,  across,  cross- 
wise, transversely,  233  14. 

owe,  v.,  to  have,  possess,  to  be 
obliged  to,  181  22 ;  ought,  //., 
19  7;  me  ought,  190  i9. 

paas,  sb.,  pace,  step,  passage,  17  6. 
paleys,  sb.,  palace,  162  25 ;  palais, 

163  23. 
palfroy,  sb.,  saddle-horse,  palfrey, 

89  27. 
pappe,  sb.,  breast,  20  18. 
paramour,   peramour,   sb.,  lover, 

(applied  to  either  sex),  70  31. 
parfyte,  adj.,  perfect,  124  31. 
party,     sb.,    part,    portion,    side ; 

partyes,  //.,  16  16. 
passynge,  /.  prs.  of  to  pass,  used 

as  adv.,  surpassing,  very,  15  7. 
paylet,    sb.,    pallet ;  paillasse,    a 

small  bed,  67  16. 
pees,  sb.,  peace,  silence,  18  15. 
pelour,  sb.,  pillar,  column,  72  27. 
peryll,  sb.,  peril,  danger,  40  l. 
perysshe,  v.,  to  perish,  to  destroy, 

124  33. 
plere,  sb.,  equal,  98  7. 
pierles,  adj.,  without  equal,  197  lo. 
plyte,  sb.,  state,  condition,  231  3. 
portecolys,  sb.,  portcullis,  69  2i. 
postel,  sb.,  apostle,  160  16. 
posterne,  sb.,  postern,  back  gate, 

20  14. 
pousd,  sb.,  pulse,  150  11. 


GLOSSARY. 


337 


poyntemente,     sh.,    appointment, 

agreement,  220  l. 
prayes?  sb.,  pL,  prayers,  238  6. 
prees,  sIk,  a  press,  throng,  30  8. 
pretende,  v.,  to  belong  to,  34  7. 
pryce,    sb.,    price,    prize,    reward, 

value,  estimation,  192  21. 
pryme,    sb.,    the   period    from    6 

o'clock    A.M.  to  9  A.M.,  also   9 

A.M.,  116  31. 
purfyl,  v.,    to    embroider   on   an 

edge,  4  28. 
purveye,  v.,  to  provide,  19  26. 
puyssaunce,    sb.,    might,    power, 

48  3. 
pyece,  sb.,  piece,  188  27. 
pyghe,    v.,     to    pitch,    fix,    pick ; 

pyght,  //.,  16  15. 
pyllar,  sb.,  plunderer,  222  12. 
pylle,  v.,  to  plunder,  222  13. 
pyteous,   adj.,    pitiful ;    pyetous, 

2  23. 

quere,   sb.,   choir,    238  5 ;  quyre, 

238  16. 
queste,  v.,  to  bark,  make  a  noise 

like  a  dog;   questyng,  /.  prs., 

4  11. 

race,  v.,    to   scrape,  to   tear   off; 
raced,  pt.,  43  3i ;  reaced,  pt., 

43  34. 

Raynes,  sb.,  clothe  of  Raynes,  fine 

linen,  so  called    from    Rennes, 

235  21. 
reame,  sb.,  realm,  21  19. 
rede,  sb.,  to  give  advice,  to  take 

counsel,  to  advise,  42  14. 
redy,  adj.,  ready,  16  5. 
reest,  sb.,  a  support  for  a  spear, 

189  1. 


regne,   v.,  to  reign  ;  regned,  pt., 

15  2. 
reke,  v.,  to   care   for,  to    regard, 

131  14. 
renomme,  sb.,  renown,  100  21. 
rewe,  sb.,  row,  order,  50  27. 
roche,  sb.,  rock,  45  13. 
royalme,  ^i.,  kingdom,  1  6. 
rubrysshe,  sb.,  index,  register,  3. 
ryvage,  sb.,  bank  of  a  river,  161  15. 
ryve,    v.,    to    rive,   tear ;    roofe, 

pt.,   75  24. 

sacrynge,  sb.,  consecration,  149  18. 
sadly,  adv.,  firmly,  204  34. 
sale,  sb.,  hall,  152  15. 
salewe,  sb.,  salute,  166  2. 
samyte,  sb.,  a  rich  silk  stuff,  often 

interwoven    with  gold  or  silver 

threads,  45  8. 
s&ni,  prep.,  save,  except,  115  30. 
sauf,  adj.,  safe,  28  34. 
saulters,  sb.,  psalters,  238  6. 
saye,  v.,  to  say  ;  seid, /A,  46  i. 
scathe,  v.,  to  harm,  68  4. 
seace,  v.,  to   cease,   discontinue ; 

seacyd,  //.,  143  20. 
sedyl,  sb.  See  cedle. 
sege,  syege,  sb.,  (i)  seat,  87  21, 27, 

(2)  siege,  16  14. 
seke,  adj.,  sick,  16  18. 
selar,  sb.,  ceiling,  canopy,  133  11. 
semblaunt,   sb.,  countenance,  ap- 
pearance, 148  17. 
senceall,  sencial,   sb.,   seneschal, 

steward,  25  9. 
sendel,  sb.,  a  fine,  rich  cloth,  87  18. 
servage,  sb.,  thraldom,  servitude, 

109  20. 
sewe,   v.,    to   follow,   attend   on, 

105  11. 


338 


GLOSSARY. 


shal,  v.,  shall ;  shold, //.,  15  15. 

Sherthursdaye,  sl>.,  the  Thursday 
before  Easter,  so  called  from  the 
custom  of  shearing  or  shaving 
the  beard  on  that  day,  159  32. 

shette,  v.,  to  shut ;  shytte,  //., 
148  2i  ;  shitte,  //.,  152  19. 

shevere,  v.,  to  break  into  shivers, 
40  29. 

shryche,  sb.,  shriek,  cry,  176  28. 

shryve,  v.,  to  confess,  194  24. 

shyrly,  adv.,  clearly,  shrilly, 
sharply,  193  19. 

skafhold,  sb.,  stage,  elevated  plat- 
form, scaffold,  171  18;  skaf- 
foldes,  //.,  202  17. 

slee,  v.,  to  slay,  26  16 ;  slough,  pt., 
34  27. 

soden,  sodeyne,  sodayne,  adj., 
sudden,  15  23,  58  18. 

sonde,  sb.,  a  sending,  gift,  message, 
212  32. 

SOthe,  sb.  adj.,  truth,  sooth,  true, 
50  11. 

soude,  v.,  to  strengthen,  mend, 
157  5. 

souder,  v.,  to  solder,  129  2. 

sowne,  v.,  to  swoon,  222  28. 

sowne,  sb.,  a  swoon,  222  28. 

soyle,  sb.  ;  wente  to  soyle,  ran 
into  the  mire  or  water,  took 
refuge,  200  19. 

spede,  v.,  to  speed,  prosper,  suc- 
ceed, 50  9. 

spere,  v.,  to  inquire,  113  25. 

spore,  v.,  to  spur,  35  5. 

sprenge,  v.,  to  sprinkle,  diffuse  ; 
sprente,  pt.,  133  24. 

spyrre,  v.,  to  inquire,  to  ask, 
229  6.     Cf.  spere,  v. 

spyrytueltees,  sb.,  things  or  holy 


places  belonging  to  the  church, 
consecrated  ground,  165  14. 

starke,  adj.,  adv.,  wholly,  entirely, 
quite,  221  34. 

stere,  -'.,  to  stir,  to  move,  150  13. 

stere,  v.,  to  steer,  lead,  direct, 
195  24. 

sterte,  v.,  to  start,  36  5. 

Steven,  sb.,  voice,  236  23 ;  favor- 
able time  for  performing  an 
action,  71  27. 

strayte,  adj.,  adv.,  strait,  strict, 
narrow,  203  10.     Cf.  streyte. 

strene,  sb.,  race,  progeny,  50  24, 
94  27. 

streyte,  adj.,  strait,  narrow,  62  11. 

stynte,  v.,  to  stint,  to  cease,  pause, 
29  19,  182  26. 

stynte,  sb.,  stint,  portion  allotted 
to  somebody ;  stynte  of  my 
land,  44  14. 

suraunce,  sb.,  assurance,  28  4. 

sustene,  v.,  to  sustain,  145  23. 

swalowe,  sb.,  a  whirlpool,  gulf, 
124  15. 

sweven,  sb.,  dream,  237  22. 

syege,  sb.    See  sege. 

syn,  adv.,  since,  26  29,  154  12. 

sythen,  adv.,  conj.,  since,  after- 
wards, 40  5;  sythe,  130  i. 

take,  v.,  to  take ;  toke,  pt.,  134  20 ; 
take,//.,  155  3. 

tame,  v.,  to  conquer,  crush,  sub- 
due, 77  19. 

tatche,  sb.,  quality,  mark,  sign, 
fault,  51  26. 

tene,  sb.,  grief,  vexation,  injury, 
73  21. 

the,  th',  def.  art.;  themperour, 
1  24 ;  thoppynyon,  12  22  ;  ther- 


GLOSSARY. 


339 


mytage,    12    so ;    tharchebys- 
shop,    12  30;  thabyte,    12   :ii  ; 
thold,  69  29  ;  therth,  235  a;!. 
tho,  pron.  dem.,  def.  art.  pi.,  those, 

thrange,  sh.,  crowd,  205  is. 

threste,  v.,  to  thrust,  174  8. 

thryes,  adv.,  thrice,  214  21. 

to,  (i)  prep.,  to,  at,  m,  upon,  into, 
against,  as,  until  ;  as  sign  of 
inf.  combined  with  verbal  ele- 
w^;//,  tenprynte,  1  8;  {2)  prefix, 
asunder,  in  twain,  to  pieces. 
See  below. 

to  forne,  adv.,  prep.,  before,  112 

to  gyder,  to  gyders,  adv.,  to- 
gether, 43  2. 

to  ryve,  v.,  to  tear,  to  rend  to 
pieces,  48  14. 

to  shever,  v.,  to  smash,  to  reduce 
to  shivers,  40  29. 

tornoye,  sb.,  tournament,  3  22. 

tray,  sb.,  grief,  affliction,  73  21. 

trest,  sb.,  possibly  "  a  station 
appointed  in  hunting."  {See  note 
in  Sommer^s  ed.  of  Le  Morte 
Darthitr,  vol.  ii,  p.  22^.) 

troncheon,  truncheon,  sb.,  broken 
piece  of  a  spear-shaft,  truncheon, 
40  31,  68  25. 

trowe,  v.,  to  believe,  161  32. 

truage,  sb.,  tribute,  4  19. 

twyes,  adv.,  twice,  70  19. 

ubblye,  sb.,  wafer,  sacramental 
bread,  159  2. 

umbecaste,  v.,  to  cast  about,  con- 
sider, 200  31. 

underne,  undorn,  sb.,  the  time  be- 
tween sunrise  and  noon  or  be- 


tween noon  and  sunset,  a  meal- 
time, 84  6. 

undertake,  v.,  to  warrant,  dare 
say,  169  9. 

unhappe,  sb.,  ill  luck,  misfortune, 
228  21. 

unneth,  adv.,  scarcely,  83  17. 

unsyker,  adj.,  uncertain,  166  6. 

utteraunce,  sb.,  extremity,  the 
uttermost,  186  29. 

valewe,  sb.,  value,  53  3. 
valyaunt,    adj.,    valiant,    brave; 

valyaunts  men,  59  I8. 
vaward,  sb.,  vanguard,  63  28. 
veray,  adj.,  true,  1  11. 

wallop,  sb.,  gallop,  40  14,  176  15. 

Walysshe,  adj.,  Welsh,  204  22. 

wanne,  v.,  to  wane,  grow  less,  ebb, 
224  5. 

wappe,  v.,  to  wap,  to  lap,  224  5. 

wawe,  sb.,  wave,  155  13. 

waykely,  adv.,  weakly,  with  diffi- 
culty, 222  3. 

wayte,  v.,  to  watch,  17  S8. 

wayte,  sb.,  watch,  guard,  196  28. 

webbe,  sb.,  sheet  of  thin  plate  of 
lead,  235  22. 

wede,  sb.,  weed,  garment,  138  22. 

welde,  v.,  to  wield,  control,  180  ."i. 

werche,  v.,  to  ache ;  werches, 
222  22. 

werre,  sb.,  war,  15  28. 

wars,  adj.,  covip.,  worse,  29  28. 

wete,  v.,  to  know,  observe,  to 
keep,  guard,  137  27 ;  wyst,  //., 
148  29;  wote, /rj.,  139  10. 

withstande,  v.,  to  resist ;  with- 
stand,//., 49  II. 

wold,//.     See -wyWt. 


340 


GLOSSARY. 


wonderly,  adv.,  wonderfully,  15  aa. 
woode.  adj.,  mad,  raging,  189  20. 
worship,  .r/'.,  honor,  17  20. 
worshippe,  v.,  to  honor,  88  30. 
wote,  prs.     Set-  wete. 
wrake,    s^.,    destruction,    misery, 

mischief,  231  1.1. 
wroth,  wrothe,  adj.,  wroth,  angry ; 

wrothe,  15  22. 
wyghtly,  adv.,    actively,    swiftly, 

strongly,  219  a. 
wyl,  wylle,  ?'.,  to  will,  to  desire  ; 

wold,  //.,  16  6. 
wyn,  Wynne,  2'.,  to  win,  overcome; 

wanne,  /A,  63  7. 
wyte,   wytte,   sd.,   blame,  48  90, 

65  24. 
wytte,    si.,   wisdom,  intelligence, 

reason,  168  12. 


wytty,     ad/.,     wise 
super!.,  126  18. 


wytty  est, 


y-,  prt-Jix,    O.    I'2.  ge-;     y-fonde, 

134  29.     See  fynde. 
yate,  sb.,  gate,  20  11. 
ye,  adv.,  yes,  146  4. 
yefte,  sl>.,  gift,  31  10. 
yelde,  v.,  to  pay,  yield  ;  yelde,  /A, 

21  IT)  ;  yelded,//.,  165  t>;  yolden, 

//.,  140  4. 
yeman,  sIk,  yeoman,  219  2. 
yeve,  v.,  to  give,  19  9.     Cf.  gyve, 
yis,  adv.,  yes,  72  15. 
yle,  sb.,  isle,  island,  146  26. 
ylle,  adj.,  adv.,  bad,  ill,  136  1. 
ynough,  adj.  adv.,  enough,  168  22. 
yssue,  sb.,  issue  ;  yssues,  //.,  16 

13. 


INDEX 

TO 

MALORY'S    MORTE    DARTHUR. 


Abblasoure,  castel  of,  107. 

Abel,  130-132. 

Accolon  of  Gaulle,  67. 

Adam,  130. 

Aglovale,  brother  of  Percyval,  112. 

Agravayne,  34,  66,  173,  194,  196, 
202,  203,  205. 

Albons,  St.,  20. 

Al-halowmasse  Day,  188, 190,  191. 

Almesburye,  12,  13,  227,  234. 

Alyduke,  174,  175. 

Alysaunder  le  Orphelyn,  175. 

Amesbury.     See  Almesburye. 

Anguysshe  of  Irland,  167,  171, 
191,  199,  202. 

Antemes,  32. 

Anwyk,  237. 

Arthur,  1-7,  10-14,  18,  20,  21,  ^y- 
40,  42-59,  62-68,  80,  84,  86-88, 
93,  III,  117,118,  135,  137,  153, 
154,  161,  166,  167,  169,  171-175, 
177-180,  182-184,  188,  190, 191, 
194,  196-199,  202,  204-209,211- 
229,  234,  236,  240. 

Astolat,  10,  II,  168,  169,  170,  180, 
182,  183,  184,  187,  188,  192,  197. 

Astolat,  fayre  maiden  of.  See 
Elayne  le  Blank. 

Avelyon,  lady  Lylle  of,  49,  56. 

Avylyon,  vale  of,  225. 


Babyloyne,  165. 

Bagdemagus,    96-98,     153,    155  ; 

Basdemagus,  67. 
Balan,  Balen,  5,  6,  33,  58-60,  62- 

66,  77-80,  89. 
Balen,  Balyn,  i,  5,  6,  33,  48-80,  89. 
Ban,  3,  4,  31,  32,  34. 
Baramdoune,  216,  229. 
Barcias,  19;  Barsias,  26.     See  also 

Brastias. 
Barnard  of  Astolat.     See  Bernard. 
Bawdewyn,  Baudewyn  of  Bretayn, 

26,  27,  29,  177,  189. 
Beaumayns,  2.     See  Gareth. 
Bedegrayne,  31,  34. 
Bedevere,       Bedwere,       12,     173, 

(Pedever,    204),    205,    219-227, 

23-'  233'  239- 
Bellangere  le  Beuse,  174,  175. 
Benwyck,  32,  215. 
Bernard  of  Astolat,  169,  170,  171, 

180,  181,  192,  193,  195. 
Blamor  de  Ganys,  174,  233,  239. 
Bleoberys,  174,  233,  239. 
Bleoheris,  misprint  for  Bleoberis(.''), 

233- 
Bleyse,  30. 
JBorre,  31. 

Bors,  kyng  of  Gaule,  31,  32,  34. 
Bors,  son  of  Kyng  Bors,  2-4, 8-1 1, 


342 


INDEX. 


83,   84,  88,    123-125,    134,   136,    I    Cornewayl,  duke  of,  3.     See  also 


140,  143,  154, 156,  157,  160-162, 
164-166,  174,  175,  183-192,  199, 
203-206,  230,  233,  236-239. 

Bracias.     See  Brastias. 

Brandyles,  172,   173,  196. 

Brastias,  17,  29,  31,  199;  Bracias, 
20,  27.     See  also  Barcias. 

Bretayne,  Brytagne,  i,  33,  90,  100, 
177,  189,  202. 

Cador,  239. 

Callahadys  welle  {for  Galahads), 

155- 
Calydone,  125. 

Camelot,  49,  59,  61,  65,  So,  82,  83, 

84,  90,  92,96,  154, 165,  167,  171, 

180. 
Camylyard,  31,  32. 
Candylmas  Day,  25,  31,  199,  201, 

208. 
Carados,  Cardos,  27,  30. 
Carbonek,  castel   of,  9,    122,  151, 

156. 
Carlyon,  27,  28,  30,  34,  37.  46- 
Carteloyse,  135. 
Caunterburye,  12,  21,  26,  29,  211, 

212,    216,    225,    226,    232,    235, 

239- 
Caxton,  I ;    his  preface,   1-2  ;  his 

table  of  contents,  3-13. 
Caym,   130. 

Chalaunce  of  Claraunce,  202. 
Claraunce,  202. 
Clarras,  233. 

Clartus  of  Clere  Mounte,  239. 
Claudas,  32,  161. 
Claudyne,  161. 
Collybe,  see  of,  123. 
Colombe,  60. 
Constantyn,  13;  Costantyn,  239. 


Tyntagil,  duke  of. 
Cornwayl,  Cornewaill,  15,  33,  49, 

59.  219,  239. 
Cote  male  taylle,  2. 
Crystmasse,  Crystemasse,  11,  21, 

25,  198,  199. 

Davyd,  8,  131,  132. 
Denmarke,  103,  157. 
Dodynas  le  Saveage,  172,  173. 
Dover,  12,  213,  214,  2i6,  229,  233. 

Ector  de  Harris,  brother  of 
Launcelot,  8,  13,  121,  122,  153, 
154.  174.  175.  205,  233,  238,  239. 

Ector,  father  of  Kay,  19,  20,  23, 

24.  25,  2,1^  39- 
Edward  the  Fourth,  240. 
Eester,  feste  of,  35  ;  Ester,  208. 
Egglame,  46. 
Elayne,     18     (called    Elayne     le 

Blank,  170),  171,   180-185,  187- 

189,  192-195,  197. 
Elyazar,  157. 
Englond,  12,  15,  20,  22,  28,  49,  211, 

213,  219,  227,  228,  229,  233,  238, 

239- 
Epynogrys,  172,  173. 

Ertanax,  125. 

Estorause,  162. 

Estsex,  217. 

Eufrate,  125. 

Eve,  130. 

Evelake,    7,   99,    100.       See    also 

Mordrayns. 
Evvangelystes,  139. 
Ewayn  le  Blaunche    Maynys,   19, 

66. 
Excalybur,   4,   12,   30,  45,  53,  66, 

223. 


INDEX. 


343 


Feith,  124. 

Four  Stones,  castel  of,  58. 

Gahalantyne,  239. 

Gaherys,  34,  66,  173,  202,  203,  205, 
228. 

Galahad,  Galahalt,  son  of  Launce- 
lot,  2,  6-10,  73,  80,  83,  87-91, 
94-99,  101-113,  120-126,  129, 
130,  134-138.  140-144.  146.  147. 
154-167,  232. 

Galahaut,  Galahad,  the  haute 
prynce  of  Surluse,  167, 171,  172, 
176,  179,  191,  199,  202,  203. 

Galleron  of  Gahva)-,  172,  173. 

Galyhodyn,  174,  205,  233,  239. 

Galyhud,  174,  175,  205,  233,  239. 

Gareth,  i  (called  Beaumayns,  2), 
34,66,  no,  191,  192,  203-20S, 
228. 

Garlon,  6,  68-71. 

Garlot,  land  of,  18. 

Garlyon,  4.     See  also  Carlyon. 

Garnysshe  of  the  Mount,  74,  75. 

Gaule,  157,  161. 

Gawayn,  Gaweyn,  6-8,  n,  12,  18, 
34,  65,  66,  69,  80,  86,  88,  91-93, 
95,110-112,  121-122,  153,154. 
171.  173.  175.  179-184.  187,  191, 
194,  202-206,  214-216,  218,  219, 

221,  222,  228,  229. 

Glastynburye,  13,  212,  227,  235. 
Gohaleanjyne,  233. 
Gore,  land  of,  19,  27,  1 53,  1 55,  202. 
Graile.     See  Holy  Graile  and  San- 

greall. 
Grasians,  32. 
Gryflet,  4,  39-41.  112;  le  Fyse  de 

Dieu,  172,  173,  204,  205. 
Guenever,    Gwenever,    13,  32,  82, 

94-96,    167-168,    183-185,    187, 


190,  194,196,  199,209,  211,  212, 
216,  227,  228,  230-232,  234-237, 
Gylford,  168. 

Hamborow,  237. 

Herlews  le  Berbeus,  68. 

Hermel,  74. 

Hernox,  137. 

Hervys  de  Revel,  64. 

Holy  Graile,  92,  95,  119,  142.     See 

also  Sangreall. 
Holy  Lande,  239. 
Hondred    Knyghtes,    kyng    with 

the,  4,  167,  179,  191,  199. 
Howel  of  Bretayne,  202. 
Hurlame,  126,  127. 

Idres,  T,i. 

Igrayne,  3,  4,   15-19,  21,   28,  34, 

36-39- 
Irelonde,  5,  28,  47,  55,  56,  57,  60, 

129,  157,  167,171,  172,  191,  199, 

202. 
Israel,  145. 

Jherusalem,  99,  119. 
Jordanus,  17,  Jordans,  19. 
Joseph  of  Armathye,  7,  73,  81,  87, 

99.  155-158.  164. 

Joseph,  the  sone  of  Joseph  of  Ar- 
mathye, 99,  100,  lOI. 

Josue,  131. 

Joyous  Garde,  13,  237,  238. 

Kay,  Kaye,  Kaynus,  i,  2,  23-27, 
29,  63,  84,  86,  172,  173,  196, 
204-206. 

Kente,  217,  219. 

Labor,  Kynge,  126. 
Lady  Daye,  167,  171. 
~Lady  of  the  Lake,  4,  5,  45,  53,  54, 
55,  58,  226. 


344 


INDEX. 


Lamorak  de  Galys,  Lamerak  of 
Walis,  44,  192,  205. 

Launcelot,  i,  2,  5-13,  60,  79,  80, 
82-91,93-96,113-117,  119.  i-o, 
122,  124,  144-155,161,  164-195, 
197-201,  203-208,  211,  213-218, 

222      227-2^0. 

Launceor,  5,  55,  57,  60. 

Lavayn,  10,  11,  169,  171-178,  182, 

184-186,  188,  189,  192-194,  198, 

199,  201,  203-207. 
Leodegraunce,  4,  31,  32,  33. 
Logres,  9,  124,  126,  135,  152,  153, 

156,  160,  165. 
London,  20-23,  49,   iSo,  183,  211, 

212,  216,  217,  22S,  233. 
Longeus,  73. 
Lord,  our,  9,  60,  73,  79,  81,  84,  91- 

94,  98,  99,   102,  106,    112,   117- 

119,  124,  128,  130,  132,  133,  135, 

137-139.  144,  MS'  148-152.  155- 

156,  15S-164,  227,  231,  240. 
Loth    of    Orkeney,    of    Lowthean 

and  of   Orkenay,    5,  18,  27-30, 

34,  48,  63-66,  69,  215. 
Lowthean,   18,  27. 
Lucan  the  Buttelere,  173,  204,  205, 

219-223,  226. 
Lucius,  the  Emperor,  i. 
Lyanowre,  109. 
Lylle  of  Avelyon,  49,  56. 
Lyonel,  i,  2,  83,  84,  154,  174,  175, 

205,  233. 
Lyonors,  31. 
Lyonses  Payarne,  32. 
Lysteneyse,  70. 

Mador,  10,  167. 

Maleore,  Malory,  Syr  Thomas,  14, 

240. 
Margawse,  18. 


Marke  of  Cornewayl,  5,  59,  60,  61. 
Mary,  the  Virgin,  131,  139. 
May  Day,  4,  48. 

May,  moneth  of,  208,  209,  215,  216. 
Mayden  of  the  Lake,  10. 
Maydens,    castel  of,  7,   107,   109, 

III,  112,  113. 
Melyas,  7,  103-106,  no. 
Melyot,  castel  of,  67. 
Melyot  de  Logrys,  172,  173. 
Merlyn,  i,  3-6,   16-21,   24,  26,  28- 

32,  36-39.  41.  42,  44-46,  48,  55, 

60-64,  66,  67,  73,  79,  80. 
Mever  of  Blood,  135. 
Mondrames,  100. 
Mordrayns,  9,  128,  154.      See  also 

Evelake. 
Mordred,  4,    12,   34,  48,  65,  172, 

173,     194,     202-205,     211-214, 

216-221,  225-229. 
Morgan  le  Fey  (Fay),  18,  y],  66, 

67,  226. 
Morgause,  66. 
Mortoyse,  144. 
Mylis,  39. 

Nacyen,  90,  94,  loi,  128,  129. 

Naram,  47. 

Nauntres.     See  Nayntres. 

Nauntys,  t^t,. 

Nayntres  of  Garloth,  27,  33.     Cf. 

Nentres. 
Nentres,  18.     Cf.  Nayntres. 
Nero,  5,  34,  63,  64,  65. 
Newe  Yeersday,  22. 
North,  the,  27,  33. 
Northfolk,  217. 
Northgalys,    North walys,    31,    34, 

47,  49.  63,  167,    171,   172,  174, 

175,  176,  179,  188,  190,  191,  199, 

201,  202,  226. 


INDEX. 


345 


Northumberland,  30,  52,  54,  80, 
167,  171,  172,  174. 176,  199'  202, 
206. 

Nynyve,  226. 

Orkeney,  Orkenay,   5,  18,  27,  63, 

65,  215. 
Ozanna  le  Cure  Hardy,  172,  173. 

Palamydes.     See  Palomydes. 

Palmsondaye,  119. 

Palomydes,  35,  172,  191,  203,  204, 

205. 
Paradyse,  130,  156. 
Pelham,  Pellam,  6,  70-73,  80. 
Pelles,  8,  82,  87-89,  129,  130,  152, 

153.  157.158- 
Pelleas,  205,  226. 
Pellynore,  4,  35,  43,  44.  46,  65,  66, 

69. 
Pentecost,  3,  6,  26,  27,  82,  84,  198. 
Percy  vale,  Persy  val,  8-10,  44,  86, 

91,  113,  121,  123-125,   127,  128, 

134,  136,  140,  142-144,  154,  156, 

157,  160-162,  164-166. 
Percy  vale's   sister,   8,  9,  70,    138, 

140,  142,  143,  145.  162. 
Peryn  de  Mountbeliard,  69. 
Pescheours,  115;  Petchere,  87. 
Pharyaunce,  32. 
Powlis  chirch,  22. 

Questyng  beest,  4,  35. 

Raynes,  235. 

Rome,  4,  41. 

Round  Table,  14,  27,  31,  50,  53, 
82,  84,  88,  90,  91,  93-96,  112, 
115,  117,  154,  155.  161,  172,  173. 
175,  178,  180,  191, 194,  198,  199, 
202,  203,  204,  206,  215,  227,  240. 


Ryence,  Ryons,  4,  5,  31-34,  47-SO» 
61-63. 

Safyr,  172,  173,  204,  205. 
Sagramor  le  Desyrus,  172,  173. 
Salamon,  Salomon,  8,  1 31-134. 
vSalysbury,  67,  165,  217. 
Sanam,  31. 

Sangreall,  2,  7-10,  14,  66,  70,  73, 

80,  85,88-90,  92,  94,  106,  III, 

115,139,146-149,151,152,  157- 

159,  161-166,  231,  232,  240. 

Sarasyns,  ^t^,  99,  126,  201. 

Sarras,  99,  142,  158,  160,  162,  166. 

Saynt  Albons,  20. 

Saynt  Stevyns,  chirche  of,  65. 

Scotland,  27,  28,  y^,  49,  135,  238. 

Scottes,  kynge  of,  191. 

Sherewood,  31. 

Sherthursday,  159. 

Sorhaute,  33. 

Southfolke,  217. 

Southsex,  217. 

Stevyns,  chirche  of  Saynt,  65. 

Surluse,  191. 

Surrey,  217. 

Syege  Peryllous,  6,  86,  88  ;  Sege 
Perillous,  84,  87. 

Symyan,  155. 

Syvarne,  ryver,  107. 

Table  Round.     Sec  Round  Table. 
Temse,  195,  196. 

Terrabyl,castelof,  16;  Tarabil,  18. 
Tirre,  Tyrre,  169,  181,  192,  195. 
Tolleme  la  Feyntes,  99,  loi. 
Trent,  27. 

Trynyte  Sonday,  217. 
Trystram,  2,  5,  60,  192,  205. 
Turkes,  240. 
Turnaunce,  Yle  of,  128. 


346 


INDEX. 


Twelfth  Day,  25. 

Tyntagil,  castel  of,  16-19,  28,  38. 

Tyntagil,  duke  of,  15,  18. 

Ulfyn,  122. 

Ulfyus,  4,   16-1S,   20,   26,  27,  31, 

37-39- 
Uryens,  19,  26,  33,  66,  67,  202. 
Utherpendragon,   i,  3,   15-21,  26, 

28,  3(>-39'  41,  49- 
Uwayne,  96,  9S,  no,  in. 

Vagon,  96. 
Vance,  lady  de,  62. 


Wales,   Walys,   3,  20,  27,  28,  i^, 

49,  238. 
Wandisborow,  33. 
Waste  Londes,  226. 
Westmynster,    195,     199;     West- 

mestre,  240. 
Whytsonday,  80,  84,  167. 
Wyllyars,  233. 
Wyllyats  de  Balyaunt,  239. 
Wynchester,  7,    10,   80,   167,  16S, 

171,  172,180,  183-186,188,  194, 

211. 
Wyndesoore,  199,  207. 


INDEX 

TO 

INTRODUCTION    AND    NOTES. 


A  doyng,  263. 

A  fourty  yere,  284,  286. 

Abarmathie,  275. 

Abel,  tree  under  which  he  was 
slain,  285. 

Adjectives,  nouns  used  as,  282. 

Al  only,  276. 

Allegorical  interpretation,  279. 

Almesburye,  318. 

Angels  bearing  soul  to  heaven, 
292. 

Anguysshe,  295. 

Anwyk,  321. 

Appealing  for  treason,  255. 

Arnold's  Tristratfi  and  Iseult,  xlvi, 
xlix. 

Arthurian  stories,  in  English,  xxvii; 
in  French,  xxvi-xxviii,  xxxv- 
xxxviii;  sources  of,  xxix-xxxviii. 

Arthur's  historical  existence, 
xxxiv ;  birth,  247  ;  conquests, 
251;  sword,  252  ;  marriage,  253; 
dream,  313;  final  battle,  314; 
removal  to  Avalon,  316;  com- 
ing again,  318  ;  tomb,  318. 

A^yvcn,  286. 

Ascham,  Roger,  his  opinion  of  the 
Morte  Darthtir,  };xxix. 

Astolot,  296. 

At  cert  ay  lie,  285. 

Avalon,  316,  317. 


Bagdemagus,  265,  289. 

Balin    and    Balan,    Tennyson's, 

260;   quoted,  265,  267,  269. 
Balin's  fight  with  his  brother,  268. 
Balyn,  the  name,  explained,  261. 
Baramdoune,  312. 
liath,  herbs  for  a,  300. 
Be  holdyng  to,  249. 
Bed,  enchanted,  270. 
Benwyck,  252. 
Beoiviilf,  quoted,  287. 
Bemers,  Lord,  his  Artiis  de  la  Bre- 

tagnc  and  Hiion  of  Bourdeaux,  xl. 
Besauntes,  317. 
Betwixc,  262. 
Blackmore's  Prince   Arthur,  xlii, 

xliii. 
Bleyse,  252. 
Blood  feud,  263. 
Blood,  healing  power  of,  266,  286, 

291. 
Bone,  virtues  of,  283. 
Bors,  273. 
Bothes  (gen.),  270. 
Brandyles,  298. 
Brant's  N^arrenschiff,  xi. 
Bridge  of  Dread,  270. 
Bulwer's  King  Arthur,  xlv,  xlvi. 
Burial  in  a  ship,  287. 
But  he,  249,  276. 
Buttom,  300. 


34S 


INDEX    TO  INTRODUCTION  AND  NOTES. 


Calydone,  2S3. 

Came  rii/e,  262. 

Camelot,  260. 

Candelmas,  250. 

Cantel,  257. 

Capgrave,  ix. 

Carboneck,  282. 

Carlyon,  251. 

Carr's  Al}ig  Arthur,  xlix. 

Castel  of  Maydens,  279. 

Castle,  collapsed,  267. 

Caxton,  V,  vi,  xiii,  xiv,  xx-xxiii, 
xxix,  Ivi. 

Caym,  285. 

Celtic  sources  of  the  Arthurian 
legends,  xxx-xxxv. 

Chamberlain,  250. 

Chastity,  tests  for,  260. 

Chester,  Robert,  his  King  Arthur, 
xli. 

Child  given  as  a  payment  for  ser- 
vice, 246. 

Chretien  (Chrestien)  de  Troyes, 
xxxvii,  293. 

Claudas,  King,  253. 

Collybe,  282. 

Colors,  virtues  of,  2S3. 

Coming  of  Arthur,  Tennyson's, 
quoted,  247. 

Comparatives,  double,  281. 

Connecting  link  to  Bk.  ii,  260 ;  to 
Bk.  xiii,  271-273;  to  Bk.  xvii, 
281  ;  to  Bk.  xviii,  293  ;  to  Bk. 
xxi,  304,  305. 

Constable,  25c. 

Coronation,  importance  of,  250. 
Costantyn,  323. 
Cote  male  taylle,  244. 
Courtesy  in  fighting,  256. 

Disguise,  fighting  in,  268. 
Disguises  of  Merlin,  252. 


Dole,  319,  321. 
Dolorous  stroke,  267. 
Double  comparatives,  281. 
Dreams   in    Arthurian   romances, 

254;  Arthur's  dream,  313. 
Dryden's  Arthurian  opera,  xiii. 
Dwarf,  263. 
Dyd  .  .  .  do  wryte,  252. 
Dyd  (expletive),  296. 
Dyryge,  320. 

Ector  de  Marys,  brother  of  Launce- 
lot,  282. 

Ector,  Sir,  the  foster-father  of  Ar- 
thur, 247. 

Edward  the  Fourth,  ix  yere  of  the 
regne  of  kyng,  323. 

Elaine,  Tennyson's,  quoted,  296, 
29S-302,  323. 

Elyazer,  290. 

-En,  plurals  in,  281. 

English  literature  in  the  15th  cen- 
tury, X,  xi. 

Epynogrys,  298. 

Ertanax,  284. 

Evelake,  278. 

Ewayn,  246. 

Excalibur,  252,  258,  261. 

Feast,  Arthur's  great,  250;  long 
feasts,  255. 

Fifteenth  century,  literary  charac- 
ter of  the,  ix-xii ;  political  and 
social  character  of  the,  x,  xii. 

Fighting  with  unknown  enemy, 
26S,  297. 

Fortescue,  ix. 

Foryeten,  311. 

French  literature,  xi ;  French  Ar- 
thurian romances,  xxvi-xxix, 
xxxv-xxxviii,  Iv. 

Funeral  offerings,  319. 


INDEX    TO   INTRODUCTION  AND   NOTES. 


349 


Galahad's  birth  and  lineage,  275, 
276. 

Galahaut  the  haute  prynce,  295. 

Gareth,  265. 

Garlon,  266. 

Gavvayn  overcome  in  fight,  29S ; 
his  place  of  burial,  312  ;  his  old 
wound,  312. 

Gender,  confusion  of,  283,  2S5. 

Geoffrey  of  Monmouth's  Historia 
Regiim  Britaiinice,  xxxv. 

German  literature  in  the  1 5th  cen- 
tury, xi. 

Gift  promised  carte  blaiiche,  258. 

Girdle,  magic,  284. 

Glastonbury,  311,  316. 

Glove   presented    as  a  challenge, 

255- 

Grail,  Holy,  literature  on  the  leg- 
end of  the,  xxxvii,  273  ;  inter- 
pretations of  the,  275;  feeds  a 
multitude,  277;  seen  by  Launce- 
lot,  281. 

Gylford,  296. 

Had  lever,  264. 

Hall,  riding  into,  273. 

Hamborow,  321. 

Hathway's  play  on  The  Life  and 

Death  of  Arthur,  xl. 
Hauberk,  269. 

Hawes's  Pastime  of  Pleasure,  xl. 
Hawker's   Quest  of  the  Sa/igraal, 

xlviii. 
Heber's  Morte  Arthur,  xliv. 
Herbs  for  a  bath,  300. 
Hermits,  257. 
Hole  (=  whole),  291. 
Holy    Grail,   Tennyson's,  quoted, 

274,  276,  277,  2<S8 ;   Lonelich's, 

quoted,  284.  See  also  Grail,  Holy. 


Horns,  ivory,  2S0. 
Ho)-s  lyttar,  247. 
Hospitality  in  monasteries,  289. 
Howel  of  Bretayne,  303. 
Howseled  and  eneled,  321. 
Hughes,  Thomas,  his  Misfortunes 
of  Arthur,  xl. 

Idres,  253. 

Illness  due  to  love,  245. 
Invisible  knight,  265. 
Italian  literature  in  the  15th  cen- 
tury, xi,  xii. 

Jesseraunte,  251. 

f he  SIC,  247. 

Joseph  of  Armathe,  267. 

Joust,  249. 

Joyous  Garde,  321, 

Kay,  nursed  by  a  woman  of  low 

rank,  247. 
Kayes,  280. 
Kenilworth,    influence    of    Morte 

Darthur   on    entertainment    at, 

xl. 
Kittredge,  Professor,  viii,  xiii. 
Knight,    ceremony  of   making  a, 

274. 

Lady  of  the  Lake,  257. 

Lajtcelot,     romance       of,     xxxvii, 

xxxviii,  293,  294,  305. 
Laton,  265. 

Launcelot,  eulogy  on,  322,  323. 
La^amon's  Brut,  xxvii. 
Lette  his  owne  fader  to  lande,  311. 
Lions    guarding    entrance     to    a 

castle,  2S7. 
Litter,  horse,  247. 
Lodegreance  of  Camylyard,  252. 


350 


INDEX    TO   INTRODUCTION  AND  NOTES. 


Lot,   King,   his  luitied  of  Arthur, 

264. 
Lot's  wyf  of  Orkeney,  253. 
Love,  illness  due  to,  245. 

Maid,  Galahad  called  a,  280. 

Maid  wooing  a  man,  297. 

Maiden  Castle,  279. 

Malory,  Sir  Thomas,  popular  esti- 
mate of  his  prose,  ix ;  attempted 
identification  of,  xiii-xix;  his 
purpose  in  writing  the  Morte 
Ddi-thur,  xxv-xxvii ;  his  literary 
characteristics,  1-lxii ;  his  dic- 
tion, Iviii-lx. 

Mandeville,  ix. 

Mans  persone,  261. 

Mantle  adorned  with  kings'  beards, 
258. 

Mark,  King,  263. 

Marsh's  comments  on  Malory's 
diction,  Ixix. 

Masse  pe>ty,  302. 

May,  month  of,  303. 

Merlin,  disguised  as  a  churl,  252 ; 
as  a  child,  254;  his  end,  255; 
casts  an  enchantment,  257. 

Merlin,  romance  of,  xxvii,  xxxvi- 
xxxviii. 

Merlin,  versions  of  the  legend  of, 
243,  244 ;  source  of  Bk.  i,  243  ; 
source  of  Bk.  ii,  260. 

Mever  of  Blood,  285. 

Milton's  references  to  Arthur,  xlii. 

Mordrayns,  285. 

Mordred,  his  birth,  254  ;  set  afloat 
in  a  ship,  259;  his  rescue,  259. 

Morgan  le  Fey  (Fay),  246,  258. 
See  also  Lady  of  the  Lake. 

Morris,  William,  his  Arthurian 
poems,  xlvi-xlviii. 


Morte  d'' Arthur,  Tennyson's,  quo 
ted,  314-316. 

Morte  Darthur,  Malory's,  popu- 
larity of,  ix  ;  editions  of,  xx- 
XXV ;  purpose  of,  xxv-x.xvii ; 
sources  of,  xxix-xxxviii ;  history 
and  influence  of,  xxxviii-1 ;  As- 
cham's  opinion  of,  xxxix;  liter- 
ary value  of,  1. 

Mys  creature,  283. 

Nacyen  the  heremyte,  276. 

Nero,  264. 

Numbers,  cardinal,  used  as  multi- 

plicatives,  251. 
Nygromancye,  246. 
Nynyve,  forms  of  name,  317. 

Odor  of  sanctity,  322. 
Omission  of  subject,  267. 

Palamydes,  254. 

Paris,  Gaston,  his  theory  of  the 
origin  of  the  Arthurian  ro- 
mances, xxxi-xxxiii. 

Pellam,  King,  267. 

Pellinore,  257,  265. 

Penance,  unwillingness  to  do,  280. 

Pentecoste,  250. 

Percy's  Reliques,  Arthurian  poems 
in,  xliii,  xliv. 

Persyval  of  Walis,  257. 

Peiysslied,  262. 

Petchere,  King,  275. 

Powlis,  church  of  St.,  248. 

Prime,  274. 

Prisoners,  release  of,  in  romances, 
280. 

Quest  of  the   Holy   Grail,  xxxvii, 

273- 
Questynge  beest,  254. 


INDEX    TO  INTRODUCTION  AND  NOTES. 


351 


Raynes,  cloth  of,  320. 

Reflexive  verbs,  256. 

Relative  omitted,  250. 

Requyem,  320. 

Return  of  a  hero,  supposed  dead, 

318. 
Rhapsody     from      Wynkyn      de 

Worde's   Morte   Darthur,   320, 

321. 
Richard,  Earl  of   Warwick,  xviii, 

xix. 
Riding  into  hall,  273. 
Robbing  dead  on  battlefield,  314. 
Romanticism,   Malory's    influence 

on,  xliii. 
Round  Table,  origin  of,  250;  num- 
ber of  seats  at,  278. 
Ryence,  252,  253,  258;  his  mantle 

adorned  with  beards,  258. 

Salisbury,  312. 

Sanctity,  odor  of,  322. 

Sarasyns,  253. 

Sarras,  290. 

Scabbard  of  Excalibur,  258. 

Sea,  set  afloat  on,  259. 

Sege  Perillous,  274,  275;  occupied 

by  Galahad,  275. 
Selar  of  a  bed,  285. 
Senceall,  249,  250. 
Sequence  of  tenses,  245,  260. 
Sherthursday,  291. 
Shield,  challenge    by  smiting  on, 

256;    marked    with    red    cross, 

278  ;  case  for,  299. 
Siege,  a  mediaeval,  311. 
Sir  Gawai>i  and  the  Green  Knight, 

xxvii. 
Sleeping  chamber,  278. 
Sleeve  worn  as  a  token,  298. 
Solomon's  ship,  285. 


Sommer,  v-viii ;  his  account  of 
the  sources  of  the  Morte  Dar- 
thur, xxxviii,  243,  260,  273,  281, 

293.  294,  305-310- 

Sorhaute,  253. 

Soul  borne  to  heaven  by  angels, 
292. 

Sources  of  Arthurian  romances, 
xxix-xxxviii ;  of  the  Morte  Dar- 
thur, Bk.  i,  243,  244 ;  of  Bk.  ii, 
260;  of  Bks.  xiii-xvii,  273,  281  ; 
of    Bk.   xviii,    293-295 ;    of    Bk. 

xxi,  30  5-3' o- 

Spear,  bleeding,  291. 

Spenser's  Faerie  Qtieene,  xli,  xlii. 

Squire,  255. 

Stevyns,  Saynt,  265. 

Stone,  sword  pulled  out  of,  248  ; 
floating,  270  ;  virtues  of,  283. 

Stroke,  dolorous,  267. 

Suicide  from  grief,  262. 

Swinburne's  Tristram  of  Lyofiesse, 
xlviii;    Tale  of  Balen,  xlix,  260. 

Sword  pulled  out  of  the  stone,  24S; 
sword  giving  out  light,  252  ;  fa- 
mous swords,  261  ;  sword  pieced 
together,  285,  290. 

Symple  persone,  244. 

Take  no  force,  262. 

Tennyson's  Idylls  of  the  King, 
xlv.  See  also  Co?nitig  of  Arthur, 
Balin  and  Balan,  Holy  Grail, 
Morte  d' Arthur. 

Terrabyl,  Castle,  245. 

That  (as  an  article),  285. 

The  (redundant),  256,  282. 

This  he,  276. 

This  two,  278. 

Thought,  to  take,  254. 

Till  Eulenspiegel,  xi. 


352 


INDEX   TO  INTRODUCTION  AND  NOTES. 


To  shczh'red,  256. 

Torches  burning  beside  a  corpse, 

320. 
Tournament,  249,  298. 
Tristan,      French      romance      of, 

xxxvii,  lii. 
Tristram,  verse  romance  of,  xxvii. 
Tyntagil,  245. 

Umbc-  (prefix),  303. 
Up  soo  doiiHC,  313. 
Uther-pendragon,    his    name    ex- 
plained, 244 ;  his  last  illness,  247. 
Uwayne,  Sir,  278. 

Valyannts  fneti,  263. 
Vanishing,  power  of,  252. 
Vergyn  (=  man),  290. 


Wace's  Romans  de  Brut,  xxxv. 

Wager  of  battle,  255. 

Warwick,  Earl  of,  xviii,  xix. 

Whyte  abbay,  278,  289. 

Women  fighting,  255;  women  for- 
bidden to  go  on  the  quest  for 
the  Grail,  277. 

Wonder  turnement,  282. 

Wooing  of  a  man  by  a  maid, 
297. 

Wordsworth's  Egyptian  Maid, 
xlvi. 

Worship,  276. 

Wyndesan,  253. 

Wynkyn  de  Worde's  Morte  Dar- 
thtir,  rhapsody  from,  320,  321. 

Wytche,  251. 


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